CVE-2010-3933 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
Ruby on Rails 2.3.9 and 3.0.0 does not properly handle nested attributes, which allows remote attackers to modify arbitrary records by changing the names of parameters for form inputs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3933 represents a critical security flaw in Ruby on Rails web applications that affects versions 2.3.9 and 3.0.0. This issue stems from improper handling of nested attributes within the framework's parameter processing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database records through carefully crafted form submissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the way Rails processes nested attribute parameters, which are commonly used in applications that allow complex data structures to be submitted through web forms.
The technical flaw manifests when applications utilize Rails' nested attributes functionality to handle complex object relationships in database operations. When developers implement nested forms for creating or updating records with associated data, Rails processes parameter names to determine which attributes belong to which objects. However, the vulnerability occurs because the framework fails to properly validate or sanitize parameter names that could be manipulated by attackers. This allows adversaries to construct parameter names that point to unintended database records, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across web applications built on Ruby on Rails. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify or delete arbitrary records within the application's database without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability enables what security researchers classify as a parameter tampering attack pattern, where malicious users manipulate input parameters to achieve unauthorized database operations. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to data integrity compromise, information disclosure, and potential system compromise depending on the application's data access controls and the sensitivity of the affected records.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable and CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, both of which relate to how applications process and validate user-supplied data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1213.002: Exploitation for Data Access and T1566.001: Phishing, as attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data through manipulated web forms. The vulnerability also represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference (IDOR) issues that commonly affect web applications, where parameter manipulation allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly reference objects they should not be able to access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of Ruby on Rails, specifically versions 2.3.10 and 3.0.1, which contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, developers should conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify any custom implementations of nested attributes that might be vulnerable, and implement proper parameter validation and sanitization measures. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules that can detect and block suspicious parameter patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper parameter handling in web frameworks and underscores the need for continuous security testing and patch management processes to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in application code.