CVE-2019-16060 in Airbrake Ruby Notifier
Summary
by MITRE
The Airbrake Ruby notifier 4.2.3 for Airbrake mishandles the blacklist_keys configuration option and consequently may disclose passwords to unauthorized actors. This is fixed in 4.2.4 (also, 4.2.2 and earlier are unaffected).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16060 affects the Airbrake Ruby notifier version 4.2.3, which is a widely used error tracking and monitoring solution for ruby applications. This particular flaw resides in the handling of the blacklist_keys configuration option, which is designed to prevent sensitive data from being transmitted to the Airbrake service. The configuration option is intended to specify which keys in application data should be redacted or omitted from error reports to protect against accidental exposure of credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information. When properly implemented, this feature acts as a critical security control that aligns with industry best practices for data protection and privacy compliance.
The technical implementation flaw in version 4.2.3 occurs when the blacklist_keys configuration is processed, causing the notifier to fail in properly sanitizing sensitive data elements. This misconfiguration results in passwords and other credential information being transmitted in cleartext to the Airbrake service, creating a significant exposure risk. The vulnerability represents a failure in input validation and data sanitization processes, which can be categorized under CWE-20 Improper Input Validation. The flaw essentially allows attackers who gain access to the Airbrake service or intercept network traffic to obtain sensitive authentication information that should have been protected by the blacklist_keys mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it compromises the fundamental security assurances that organizations rely on when implementing error monitoring solutions. Applications using the affected notifier version may unknowingly transmit user passwords, API keys, database credentials, and other sensitive information to third-party error reporting services. This creates a potential attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 Credential Access Through Unsecured Credentials, where adversaries exploit misconfigurations to obtain authentication information. The risk is particularly severe in environments where applications handle privileged user data or access critical systems, as the exposure could enable lateral movement or persistence within compromised networks.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 4.2.4 of the Airbrake Ruby notifier to remediate this vulnerability, as versions 4.2.2 and earlier are not affected by this specific flaw. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated notifier configuration to ensure that the blacklist_keys functionality operates correctly and that no sensitive data is inadvertently exposed. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their error monitoring configurations and review network traffic to identify any potential exposure of sensitive information that may have occurred during the vulnerable period. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions and access controls around the Airbrake service endpoints can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized access to error reports containing sensitive data.