CVE-2008-1145 in WEBrick
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WEBrick in Ruby 1.8 before 1.8.5-p115 and 1.8.6-p114, and 1.9 through 1.9.0-1, when running on systems that support backslash (\) path separators or case-insensitive file names, allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via (1) "..%5c" (encoded backslash) sequences or (2) filenames that match patterns in the :NondisclosureName option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The CVE-2008-1145 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within WEBrick, the built-in web server component of Ruby applications. This vulnerability specifically affects Ruby versions prior to 1.8.5-p115, 1.8.6-p114, and all versions through 1.9.0-1, creating a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this server implementation. The flaw emerges from the server's improper handling of path traversal sequences, particularly when operating on systems that support backslash path separators or employ case-insensitive file naming conventions. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for applications that do not properly sanitize user input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from WEBrick's inadequate validation of file paths when processing HTTP requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing "..%5c" sequences where %5c represents the URL-encoded backslash character. This encoding allows attackers to bypass normal path resolution mechanisms and navigate to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited through filenames that match patterns specified in the :NondisclosureName option, which is designed to hide certain files but fails to properly validate input when processing requests. This dual exploitation method demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the flaw and its ability to be leveraged through different attack vectors within the same vulnerable system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1145 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can potentially access system configuration files, application source code, user credentials, and other confidential information stored on the affected server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for web applications running on Windows systems or other platforms where backslash path separators are supported, as these environments provide additional attack surface for exploitation. Organizations running vulnerable Ruby applications may face data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant operational disruption when this vulnerability is exploited in the wild.
Security mitigations for CVE-2008-1145 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched Ruby releases that address the directory traversal flaw. System administrators should prioritize updating their Ruby installations to versions 1.8.5-p115, 1.8.6-p114, or 1.9.0-2 and later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for path validation. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection, though this approach is less reliable than upgrading the underlying framework. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and implementing strict access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation and access control mechanisms as recommended by industry security standards.