CVE-2019-15224 in rest-client Gem
Summary
by MITRE
The rest-client gem 1.6.13 for Ruby, as distributed on RubyGems.org, included a code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The CVE-2019-15224 vulnerability represents a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the ruby rest-client gem ecosystem. This vulnerability emerged when a malicious actor compromised the rubygems.org repository and injected backdoor code into version 1.6.13 of the rest-client gem. The attack exploited the trust model inherent in ruby package management systems where developers automatically download and install gems without thorough security verification. The backdoor was carefully crafted to remain dormant until specific conditions were met, making detection extremely challenging for security professionals and end users alike.
The technical flaw within the rest-client gem exploited the trust relationships between package managers, gem repositories, and end-user systems. The malicious code was embedded within the gem's source code and activated through specific network requests or environmental conditions. This vulnerability falls under the category of supply chain compromise as defined by CWE-494, where malicious code is introduced into legitimate software packages during the distribution process. The backdoor functionality allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems where the compromised gem was installed, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access. The attack leveraged the trust model that exists between ruby gem repositories and developers who rely on these repositories for trusted software distribution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15224 was severe across the ruby development community, affecting countless applications and systems that utilized the compromised rest-client gem. Organizations using ruby applications with vulnerable gem versions faced potential data breaches, system compromises, and unauthorized access to their infrastructure. The attack demonstrated how a single compromised package could affect thousands of downstream applications, highlighting the critical nature of supply chain security in modern software ecosystems. This vulnerability also exposed gaps in the ruby gem verification processes and underscored the need for more robust integrity checking mechanisms in package management systems.
Security mitigations for CVE-2019-15224 required immediate action from affected organizations including immediate gem version updates to patched releases, implementation of gem integrity verification processes, and enhanced monitoring of package repositories. Organizations should have implemented checksum verification mechanisms and adopted tools like gem signing verification to prevent similar attacks. The incident led to increased awareness around supply chain security practices and prompted discussions around implementing multi-factor authentication for package repository access. Security teams were advised to conduct comprehensive audits of all ruby gem dependencies and implement automated security scanning tools to detect compromised packages. This vulnerability also reinforced the importance of adhering to ATT&CK framework principles for supply chain attacks, where the initial compromise of package repositories serves as a critical initial access vector for broader security breaches.