CVE-2017-2096 in smalruby-editor
Summary
by MITRE
smalruby-editor v0.4.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2096 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the smalruby-editor software version 0.4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability exposes the application to unauthorized command injection attacks that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may exist across multiple input processing pathways within the editor's functionality, potentially affecting various user interaction points including file handling, configuration management, or external process invocation mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common command injection patterns found in software applications that fail to properly sanitize user input before passing it to system commands. When the smalruby-editor processes user-supplied data without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms, attackers can inject malicious command sequences that get executed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability typically stems from improper input handling practices where the application directly incorporates user data into system command invocations without proper sanitization or parameterization. The CWE-77 category specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities, which are categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient input validation and inadequate output escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the smalruby-editor application, which may include administrative privileges depending on the system configuration. This capability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, installation of backdoors, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the editor might be exposed to untrusted users or external networks.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify vulnerable systems, followed by exploitation of the command injection vulnerability to gain initial access, and then escalation to achieve persistent access or additional system compromise. Organizations using smalruby-editor should consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation strategy should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent command injection vulnerabilities in future development cycles. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls or intrusion detection systems to monitor and block suspicious command execution attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.