CVE-2012-6135 in RubyGems
Summary
by MITRE
RubyGems passenger 4.0.0 betas 1 and 2 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files during the startup process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6135 affects RubyGems passenger versions 4.0.0 betas 1 and 2, presenting a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary file deletion operations during the application startup process. This vulnerability resides within the passenger gem's handling of file operations during initialization, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The flaw specifically manifests during the startup phase when passenger processes attempt to manage and configure gem dependencies, providing an opportunity for remote exploitation that could compromise the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file path handling within the passenger gem's startup routines. Attackers can manipulate the gem installation or loading process to specify arbitrary file paths that the system will attempt to delete during startup operations. This occurs due to inadequate sanitization of user-provided paths or gem metadata that gets processed during the boot sequence, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that point to critical system files or user data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and represents a fundamental flaw in how the software handles file system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6135 extends far beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remove critical system files, configuration data, or user information, potentially causing system instability or complete service outages. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates during the startup process when systems are typically most vulnerable and when administrators may be less vigilant about monitoring file system activities. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1485, which covers data destruction and file deletion operations that can be used to disrupt system availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the passenger gem, specifically versions that have addressed the improper file path handling and input validation flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security reviews of gem installations and implement proper file system permissions to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual file deletion patterns during startup processes, while also implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to minimize the potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper security controls during application initialization phases, where attackers often find the most significant opportunities for system compromise.