CVE-2014-0080 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in activerecord/lib/active_record/connection_adapters/postgresql/cast.rb in Active Record in Ruby on Rails 4.0.x before 4.0.3, and 4.1.0.beta1, when PostgreSQL is used, allows remote attackers to execute "add data" SQL commands via vectors involving \ (backslash) characters that are not properly handled in operations on array columns.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The CVE-2014-0080 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ruby on rails framework's active record component when utilizing postgresql database connections. This vulnerability specifically targets the postgresql/cast.rb file in the active record library, affecting versions 4.0.x prior to 4.0.3 and the 4.1.0.beta1 release. The flaw occurs during processing of array column operations where backslash characters are not properly sanitized or escaped, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on improper handling of backslash characters within array column data processing operations. When ruby on rails processes array data types through postgresql connections, the framework fails to adequately escape or sanitize backslash characters that may be present in the input data. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to manipulate the sql query construction process by injecting malicious sql commands that get executed with the privileges of the database user. The vulnerability specifically affects scenarios where array data types are used in postgresql database operations, making it particularly dangerous for applications that rely heavily on array column functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized database operations without authentication. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform data manipulation, data extraction, or even complete database compromise depending on the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability affects applications that utilize postgresql with array columns, which is common in modern web applications that require complex data structures. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, potentially leading to full system compromise if database credentials are not properly secured.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which identifies sql injection flaws as the underlying weakness, and aligns with attack patterns found in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the command and control category where adversaries establish persistent access through database manipulation. Organizations using ruby on rails frameworks with postgresql databases should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions 4.0.3 or later, implementing proper input validation, and ensuring that database connections use minimal required privileges. The fix involves proper escaping of backslash characters in array column processing within the postgresql adapter component, preventing the injection of malicious sql commands through the array data handling mechanism.