CVE-2012-2694 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
actionpack/lib/action_dispatch/http/request.rb in Ruby on Rails before 3.0.14, 3.1.x before 3.1.6, and 3.2.x before 3.2.6 does not properly consider differences in parameter handling between the Active Record component and the Rack interface, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended database-query restrictions and perform NULL checks via a crafted request, as demonstrated by certain "[ xyz , nil]" values, a related issue to CVE-2012-2660.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2694 represents a critical parameter handling inconsistency within the Ruby on Rails framework that affects multiple versions including 3.0.14, 3.1.6, and 3.2.6. This flaw stems from the improper synchronization between the Active Record component and the Rack interface regarding how parameters are processed and interpreted, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended database query restrictions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing certain parameter structures such as "[ xyz , nil]" which demonstrates the core issue of parameter normalization differences between the framework's internal components. The technical root cause aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and the inconsistency in parameter interpretation creates a condition where attackers can manipulate database queries through crafted requests that bypass security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access restrictions as it enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized database operations that could lead to data exposure, modification, or deletion. The flaw allows adversaries to execute NULL checks and bypass intended query restrictions by exploiting the parameter handling discrepancies between Active Record and Rack interfaces, potentially enabling full database compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to CVE-2012-2660, indicating a pattern of parameter handling issues within the Rails framework that affect database security controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to construct malicious requests that exploit the inconsistency in how parameters are processed, effectively circumventing the framework's built-in protections for database queries and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the database backend.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as the flaw enables attackers to bypass database query restrictions without requiring elevated privileges. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates at the framework level, affecting all applications built on the affected Rails versions regardless of their specific implementation details. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of Ruby on Rails, specifically versions 3.0.14, 3.1.6, and 3.2.6, which address the parameter handling inconsistencies between Active Record and Rack components. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and parameter sanitization measures, while monitoring for unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining consistent parameter handling across all framework components and highlights the necessity of thorough security testing during framework updates and application development cycles to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.