CVE-2012-6497 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
The Authlogic gem for Ruby on Rails, when used with certain versions before 3.2.10, makes potentially unsafe find_by_id method calls, which might allow remote attackers to conduct CVE-2012-6496 SQL injection attacks via a crafted parameter in environments that have a known secret_token value, as demonstrated by a value contained in secret_token.rb in an open-source product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The CVE-2012-6497 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Authlogic gem for Ruby on Rails applications, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.2.10. This vulnerability operates within the broader context of authentication and session management systems where the gem's implementation of find_by_id method calls creates exploitable conditions for SQL injection attacks. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when combined with other vulnerabilities, as it can be leveraged alongside CVE-2012-6496 to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to possess knowledge of the application's secret_token value, which serves as a critical component in the Rails application's security architecture. When an attacker can obtain or predict this secret_token, typically through information disclosure or other means, they can craft malicious parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Authlogic handles user identification within the authentication process. The gem's find_by_id method, when invoked with user-provided parameters, fails to properly sanitize or escape input data before incorporating it into database queries. This unsafe implementation directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and improper query construction. The flaw occurs because the method assumes that the id parameter will always be a valid integer or string that can be safely used in database queries without additional sanitization. When combined with a known secret_token value, attackers can manipulate the parameter values to inject malicious SQL fragments that execute arbitrary database commands. The vulnerability specifically affects applications that store their secret_token in files like secret_token.rb, making it accessible to attackers who can discover or brute-force these values.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6497 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise when attackers can leverage the SQL injection capabilities. An attacker with knowledge of the secret_token can perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to full system infiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites beyond discovering a valid secret_token, which can occur through various means including insecure configuration management, exposure in version control systems, or through other information disclosure vulnerabilities. This makes the attack surface relatively broad and the potential damage significant, particularly in applications where user authentication is critical for system security. The vulnerability also demonstrates how seemingly isolated authentication components can create cascading security issues when combined with other weaknesses in the application architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6497 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading the Authlogic gem to version 3.2.10 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameter handling in the find_by_id method. Organizations should also implement comprehensive secret token management practices, ensuring that secret_token values are properly randomized, stored securely, and never exposed in source code repositories or configuration files. The implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced across all database interactions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. This vulnerability reinforces the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly in the areas of input validation and credential management. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers may first discover valid secret tokens before attempting exploitation.