CVE-2015-2179 in xaviershay-dm-rails Gem
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
The xaviershay-dm-rails gem 0.10.3.8 for Ruby allows local users to discover MySQL credentials by listing a process and its arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2026
The xaviershay-dm-rails gem version 0.10.3.8 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes MySQL credentials to local attackers through process enumeration techniques. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of database connection parameters within the gem's process management functionality, creating a security risk that aligns with CWE-200 - Information Exposure. The flaw allows malicious users with local system access to extract sensitive database authentication details by simply listing active processes and examining their command-line arguments, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure credential management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the gem's failure to properly sanitize or obscure database connection strings when processes are created or monitored. When the gem initializes database connections or manages process lifecycles, it stores MySQL credential information in process arguments or environment variables that remain accessible to other processes running on the same system. This behavior creates an attack surface where local users can leverage standard system utilities to enumerate running processes and extract plaintext credentials from command-line parameters. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where the gem is installed and executed with sufficient privileges to access process information, typically occurring in development environments or shared hosting scenarios where multiple users may have local access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it can enable attackers to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. Once attackers obtain MySQL credentials through process enumeration, they can perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, leading to potential data breaches and system compromise. The vulnerability also facilitates lateral movement within networked environments where database credentials might be reused across multiple systems, creating cascading security risks. This type of information disclosure vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1003 - OS Credential Dumping, where adversaries extract credentials from system processes to gain unauthorized access to resources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through gem version updates or patches that properly handle credential storage and process argument sanitization. System administrators should implement process monitoring to detect unauthorized enumeration activities and establish proper access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The recommended approach includes configuring the gem to use secure credential storage mechanisms such as environment variables with restricted permissions or encrypted credential files, while avoiding plaintext credential embedding in process arguments. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other Ruby gems and implement comprehensive credential management policies that align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls for access control and information protection.