CVE-2022-45301 in Gem
Summary
by MITRE • 11/29/2022
Insecure permissions in Chocolatey Ruby package v3.1.2.1 and below grants all users in the Authenticated Users group write privileges for the path C:\tools\ruby31 and all files located in that folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2025
This vulnerability resides in the Chocolatey Ruby package version 3.1.2.1 and earlier, where insecure file permissions have been configured that allow any user within the Authenticated Users group to acquire write privileges to the C:oolsRuby31 directory and all files contained within it. The flaw represents a classic privilege escalation issue that stems from improper access control implementation. When a system component fails to properly restrict file system permissions, it creates opportunities for unauthorized modification of critical software components. This particular vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in the package installation process where default permissions were not appropriately restricted to only authorized users or administrators. The impact extends beyond simple file modification as it could enable malicious actors to inject malicious code or alter critical system files that form the foundation of the Ruby runtime environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Windows file system access control list (ACL) configuration during the package installation process. When Chocolatey installs the Ruby package, it creates directory structures with overly permissive ACLs that grant write access to the Authenticated Users group rather than restricting access to only system administrators or the package installation user. This misconfiguration follows the principle of least privilege violation and creates a persistent security weakness that remains active until the permissions are manually corrected. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a direct violation of the security principle that system components should only be accessible to authorized users. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary file modification within a core system directory that likely contains executable components, libraries, and configuration files essential for Ruby application execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides a potential attack vector for privilege escalation attacks. Any authenticated user on the system can exploit this weakness to modify or replace critical Ruby executables, libraries, or configuration files, potentially leading to code execution or system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify existing binaries to include malicious code, or create persistent access mechanisms within the system. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because Ruby is commonly used for web applications and system administration tasks, making the compromise of the Ruby environment potentially devastating. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1546, which covers persistence mechanisms through changes to system files. The vulnerability is especially problematic in enterprise environments where multiple users may have authenticated access to systems running affected versions of the Chocolatey Ruby package.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention measures. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to Chocolatey Ruby package version 3.1.2.2 or later, which should contain the fixed permission settings. System administrators should conduct immediate audits of the affected directory structure to verify proper permissions have been applied and to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred. The recommended permissions should restrict write access to only the system account or designated administrators, following the principle of least privilege. Additionally, organizations should implement automated monitoring systems that can detect unauthorized changes to critical system directories and file permissions. Regular security assessments should include verification of package installation permissions, and system hardening procedures should be updated to ensure that all software installations properly implement secure default configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of supply chain security, as package managers like Chocolatey should be configured to validate package integrity and ensure that permission settings are properly enforced during installation processes.