CVE-2011-5331 in Distributed Ruby
Summary
by MITRE
Distributed Ruby (aka DRuby) 1.8 mishandles instance_eval.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5331 affects Distributed Ruby or DRuby version 1.8, which represents a critical security flaw in the Ruby programming language's distributed computing framework. This issue stems from improper handling of the instance_eval method within the DRuby implementation, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests in how DRuby processes and evaluates code within remote object contexts, where the security boundaries are not properly maintained during distributed execution scenarios.
The technical flaw lies in the inadequate sanitization and validation of code execution contexts when using instance_eval within DRuby's remote procedure call mechanisms. When DRuby processes remote method calls that involve instance_eval operations, the system fails to properly isolate the execution environment, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running DRuby service. This mismanagement creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized code execution that bypasses normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core of DRuby's distributed object model, where objects are passed between different processes and potentially untrusted environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited in environments where DRuby services are exposed to untrusted networks or users. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within affected systems. The distributed nature of DRuby means that the vulnerability can be exploited across multiple nodes in a networked environment, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations running DRuby services without proper network segmentation or access controls face significant risk of unauthorized system access and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5331 should focus on immediate patching of affected DRuby installations to the latest secure versions that properly address the instance_eval handling. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of DRuby services to trusted environments only, and deploy proper access controls to restrict who can initiate remote procedure calls. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security audits of distributed Ruby applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories related to code injection and improper neutralization of special elements, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution through application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection mechanisms and code integrity checks to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw in their distributed Ruby environments.