CVE-2019-10780 in BibTeX-ruby
Summary
by MITRE
BibTeX-ruby before 5.1.0 allows shell command injection due to unsanitized user input being passed directly to the built-in Ruby Kernel.open method through BibTeX.open.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10780 affects the BibTeX-ruby gem version 5.1.0 and earlier, presenting a critical shell command injection flaw that stems from inadequate input sanitization within the library's processing mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when user-provided data is passed directly to Ruby's built-in Kernel.open method through the BibTeX.open interface, creating a dangerous pathway for malicious command execution.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of user input within the BibTeX-ruby library's open method implementation. When developers or end users provide input to the BibTeX.open function, the library fails to sanitize or validate this input before passing it to the Kernel.open method, which is a Ruby function capable of executing system commands. This design oversight creates a direct code execution vector where malicious actors can inject shell commands through carefully crafted input parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failure and command execution, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted BibTeX data from external sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various security domains and attack scenarios. An attacker who can influence the input to BibTeX.open could execute arbitrary shell commands with the privileges of the application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications that process user-uploaded BibTeX files, as it allows for remote code execution without authentication. The attack surface includes any application that utilizes BibTeX-ruby for parsing bibliographic data, especially those handling external or untrusted inputs. The vulnerability can be exploited to escalate privileges, access sensitive system resources, or establish persistent access through command execution capabilities.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The remediation strategy centers on implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the BibTeX-ruby library. The recommended approach involves upgrading to version 5.1.0 or later, where the library properly sanitizes user input before passing it to system-level commands. Additionally, developers should implement strict input validation, employ parameterized queries where possible, and avoid direct system command execution with user-supplied data. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on input handling within system command interfaces and implement security testing procedures that specifically target command injection vulnerabilities in their dependency management practices.