CVE-2018-3777 in restforce
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient URI encoding in restforce before 3.0.0 allows attacker to inject arbitrary parameters into Salesforce API requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3777 affects the restforce ruby gem version prior to 3.0.0, representing a critical security flaw in how URI encoding is handled within Salesforce API request construction. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before they are incorporated into API request URLs. The vulnerability specifically targets the restforce library which serves as a ruby client for interacting with Salesforce's REST API, making it a significant concern for applications that rely on this gem for Salesforce integration. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate API requests through parameter injection attacks that bypass normal security controls and validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the restforce gem processes user input or dynamic parameters that are subsequently used to construct API endpoint URLs. Without proper URI encoding, special characters and control sequences in parameter values can be interpreted by the Salesforce API parser as part of the request structure rather than as literal parameter data. This creates opportunities for attackers to inject additional parameters, modify existing parameter values, or manipulate the overall request format. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the HTTP request construction phase where parameter concatenation occurs without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input validation and encoding practices, aligning with CWE-116 which addresses improper encoding of control characters and CWE-77 which covers command injection vulnerabilities.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to organizations using Salesforce integration solutions that depend on the affected restforce gem version. Attackers could potentially manipulate API requests to access unauthorized data, modify records, execute commands, or escalate privileges within the Salesforce environment. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to include potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive business information. Organizations relying on Salesforce for customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, or other critical business functions face significant operational risks from this vulnerability. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through web applications or APIs that utilize the vulnerable gem, making it accessible to attackers who can manipulate input parameters through various interface points. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system functionality.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to restforce version 3.0.0 or later where proper URI encoding mechanisms have been implemented to prevent parameter injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify any other instances of similar URI encoding vulnerabilities within their Salesforce integration codebases. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation at multiple layers, using parameterized queries where applicable, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into API requests. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and API gateways can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and prevent malicious parameter injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and encoding practices in API development, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unusual API request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce regressions in existing functionality while maintaining the security improvements.