CVE-2013-0233 in Devise
Summary
by MITRE
Devise gem 2.2.x before 2.2.3, 2.1.x before 2.1.3, 2.0.x before 2.0.5, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 for Ruby, when using certain databases, does not properly perform type conversion when performing database queries, which might allow remote attackers to cause incorrect results to be returned and bypass security checks via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by resetting passwords of arbitrary accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The CVE-2013-0233 vulnerability affects the devise gem version 2.2.x before 2.2.3, 2.1.x before 2.1.3, 2.0.x before 2.0.5, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 for ruby applications. This security flaw resides in the database query handling mechanism of the devise authentication framework, which is widely used in ruby on rails applications for user authentication and authorization. The vulnerability stems from improper type conversion during database operations, creating a condition where attackers can manipulate query parameters to bypass intended security controls. This issue represents a critical weakness in the application's data handling processes and can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized account access and privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests when devise performs database queries with user-provided input that undergoes inadequate type conversion. When applications using devise interact with databases, the gem processes user credentials and authentication data through various query mechanisms that should maintain strict type integrity. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to exploit type coercion issues where string values may be interpreted as different data types, potentially causing database queries to behave unexpectedly. This improper type handling can result in queries returning incorrect results or bypassing security checks entirely, as demonstrated by the ability to reset passwords for arbitrary accounts without proper authorization. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of database abstraction layers and ruby's dynamic typing system, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate query execution paths through carefully crafted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses to encompass broader security implications for applications relying on devise for user management. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized password resets, potentially gaining control over any user account within the application's user base. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates how database type conversion issues can cascade into authentication failures, representing a sophisticated attack vector that requires understanding of both the ruby application framework and underlying database operations. This weakness can be particularly dangerous in applications with sensitive data or administrative privileges, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams indicates a fundamental flaw in the devise gem's database interaction logic that affected a wide range of applications.
Security mitigations for CVE-2013-0233 require immediate patching of the affected devise gem versions to their secure releases. Organizations should prioritize updating to devise versions 2.2.3, 2.1.3, 2.0.5, and 1.5.4 respectively, which contain the necessary type conversion fixes. Additionally, application developers should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface, ensuring that all user-provided data undergoes proper type checking before database interactions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1004 weakness category related to security-relevant weaknesses in the design phase, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering approaches that exploit authentication bypasses. Organizations should also consider implementing database query monitoring and logging to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar type conversion vulnerabilities in other application components.