CVE-2013-7111 in BaseSpace Ruby SDK
Summary
by MITRE
The put_call function in the API client (api/api_client.rb) in the BaseSpace Ruby SDK (aka bio-basespace-sdk) gem 0.1.7 for Ruby uses the API_KEY on the command line, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by listing the processes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7111 resides within the BaseSpace Ruby SDK version 0.1.7, specifically in the api/api_client.rb file where the put_call function is implemented. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper handling of API keys within the command line interface. The vulnerability manifests when the API_KEY is passed as a command line argument rather than being properly secured through environment variables or configuration files, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to systems protected by these credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure use of command line arguments for credential management, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-255. When processes are listed using standard system commands such as ps or similar process monitoring tools, any command line arguments passed to running programs become visible to other users on the same system. This exposure occurs because command line arguments are stored in the process table and can be accessed by any user with appropriate permissions, making the API_KEY directly accessible to potential attackers who can enumerate running processes on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects the put_call function which is part of the API client implementation, demonstrating poor input validation and secure credential handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. Remote attackers who can monitor or enumerate processes on systems running the affected BaseSpace SDK can extract the API_KEY from command line arguments and subsequently use this credential to access BaseSpace services and potentially gain access to sensitive genomic data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which focuses on credentials in files, but specifically demonstrates how command line exposure creates similar risk vectors. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user environments where process enumeration is trivial, and the exposed credentials can be used to perform unauthorized operations within the BaseSpace ecosystem, potentially compromising research data integrity and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7111 require immediate remediation through proper credential handling practices that align with industry security standards. Organizations should implement secure credential storage mechanisms such as environment variables, configuration files with restricted permissions, or dedicated credential management systems rather than relying on command line arguments. The fix should involve modifying the api_client.rb file to retrieve API_KEY from secure sources rather than command line parameters, ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed through process listings. Additionally, system administrators should implement process monitoring and alerting for suspicious credential exposure patterns, while organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all SDK components to identify similar insecure credential handling practices that may exist in other libraries or applications. The remediation efforts should follow NIST SP 800-53 security controls for credential management and access control to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.