CVE-2014-0130 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in actionpack/lib/abstract_controller/base.rb in the implicit-render implementation in Ruby on Rails before 3.2.18, 4.0.x before 4.0.5, and 4.1.x before 4.1.1, when certain route globbing configurations are enabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The CVE-2014-0130 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Ruby on Rails framework that specifically affects the implicit-render implementation mechanism. This vulnerability resides in the actionpack/lib/abstract_controller/base.rb file and manifests when certain route globbing configurations are enabled within the application's routing structure. The flaw enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by crafting specially formatted requests that exploit the improper handling of file paths during the rendering process. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Rails including 3.2.17 and earlier, 4.0.4 and earlier, and 4.1.0 and earlier releases, making it a widespread concern for applications utilizing these framework versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path sanitization within the Rails routing and rendering pipeline. When route globbing is enabled, the framework processes wildcard parameters in URL patterns without adequately verifying that these parameters do not contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\. This allows malicious actors to manipulate the path resolution mechanism and access files outside of the intended application directories. The vulnerability specifically impacts the implicit-render functionality where Rails automatically determines which template to render based on controller and action names, creating a potential attack surface when these parameters are not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0130 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored on the server. Depending on the server configuration and file permissions, attackers might be able to read system files, application secrets, or even execute code if they can access files containing executable code or if the application is running with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to the internet. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive configuration files containing database passwords or cryptographic keys are accessed.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Ruby on Rails where available, specifically versions 3.2.18, 4.0.5, and 4.1.1 or later. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict route globbing configurations that are not essential to application functionality, and implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that are commonly mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.1001 for command and scripting interpreter. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all applications are regularly updated and patched according to established security maintenance procedures.