CVE-2014-4993 in backup-agoddard Gem
Summary
by MITRE
(1) lib/backup/cli/utility.rb in the backup-agoddard gem 3.0.28 and (2) lib/backup/cli/utility.rb in the backup_checksum gem 3.0.23 for Ruby place credentials on the openssl command line, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by listing the process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4993 represents a critical security flaw in the backup-agoddard and backup_checksum Ruby gems, specifically within their command line interface utility components. This issue stems from improper handling of cryptographic credentials during backup operations, creating an exploitable condition that exposes sensitive information to local attackers. The flaw manifests when these gems execute openssl commands with credentials directly embedded in the command line arguments rather than utilizing secure credential management practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs in the lib/backup/cli/utility.rb files of both affected gems, where credential information is passed as command line parameters to openssl processes. This approach violates fundamental security principles for credential handling and creates a direct attack surface where local users can enumerate running processes and extract sensitive data through process listing utilities. The command line injection vulnerability allows attackers to access the command line arguments of running processes, thereby exposing the embedded credentials in plain text format. This represents a classic example of insecure credential storage and transmission practices that directly conflicts with established security frameworks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation attacks where adversaries can obtain authentication credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive information used for backup operations. The exposure of credentials in command line arguments creates immediate risk for systems where backup operations are performed with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to backup repositories, encryption keys, or system authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems running Ruby applications that utilize these specific gem versions, creating widespread exposure across environments that rely on automated backup solutions.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-255 Credential Management Issues and CWE-77 Command Injection categories, demonstrating poor security hygiene in credential handling practices. This flaw also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials and T1059.003 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to harvest credentials through process enumeration and command line manipulation. Organizations using affected versions of these gems should immediately implement mitigation strategies including credential obfuscation, process monitoring, and secure credential storage practices. The recommended remediation involves updating to patched versions of the gems, implementing proper credential management through secure configuration files, and avoiding command line credential passing mechanisms that expose sensitive data to process enumeration attacks.