CVE-2019-8325 in RubyGems
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2. Since Gem::CommandManager#run calls alert_error without escaping, escape sequence injection is possible. (There are many ways to cause an error.)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8325 represents a critical security flaw in RubyGems versions 2.6 through 3.0.2 that exposes applications to escape sequence injection attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of error messages within the Gem::CommandManager#run method, where error output is generated without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious escape sequences into error messages, potentially enabling them to manipulate terminal output or execute unintended commands in environments where RubyGems is used.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when RubyGems processes commands and encounters errors during execution. The Gem::CommandManager#run method directly calls alert_error without implementing proper input sanitization or output escaping, creating a pathway for attackers to inject ANSI escape sequences or other terminal control codes. These escape sequences can manipulate terminal behavior, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands, alter display output, or even gain unauthorized access to system resources when RubyGems is executed in interactive environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to developers and system administrators who rely on RubyGems for package management. The impact extends beyond simple terminal manipulation as attackers can exploit this flaw to inject malicious code into error messages, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated environments where RubyGems commands are executed programmatically, as it could enable attackers to manipulate the execution flow or inject malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes escape sequence injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in command processing.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is broad, affecting any system that uses RubyGems versions within the affected range and processes user input through command execution. Attackers can exploit this through various means including malformed gem names, invalid command parameters, or by manipulating package dependencies that trigger error conditions. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the widespread use of RubyGems in development environments, deployment pipelines, and containerized applications where Ruby applications are prevalent. Organizations implementing the MITRE ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a technique involving command injection and privilege escalation through software supply chain compromise, as attackers could manipulate the gem management process to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to RubyGems version 3.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patch to properly escape error messages, along with implementing proper input validation and output sanitization in any custom Ruby applications that interact with gem management functionality.