CVE-2016-0752
Ruby on Rails Directory Traversal Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2016-0752 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability affecting Rails Ruby on Rails. Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files. An attacker can exploit this flaw without authentication over the network. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. The EPSS score of 92.46% (99.7th percentile) indicates a significantly elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| rubyonrails | rails | < 3.2.22.1; >= 4.0.0, < 4.1.14.1; >= 4.2.0, < 4.2.5.1; 5.0.0 |
| opensuse | leap | 42.1 |
| opensuse | opensuse | 13.2 |
| suse | linux enterprise module for containers | 12 |
| debian | debian linux | 8.0 |
| redhat | software collections | 1.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
References
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178044.html(Permissions Required)
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178069.html(Permissions Required)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00053.html(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00034.html(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00043.html(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0296.html(Third Party Advisory)
- http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3464(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/25/13(Exploit, Mailing List)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/81801(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034816(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ruby-security-ann/335P1DcLG00/JXcBnTtZEgAJ(Broken Link)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40561/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0752(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Path Traversal (also known as Directory Traversal) is a vulnerability that occurs when software uses external input to construct a pathname intended to identify a file or directory located underneath a restricted parent directory, but fails to properly neutralize special elements such as ".. In the case of CVE-2016-0752, this weakness allows attackers to compromise Rails Ruby on Rails systems.
Learn more: CWE-22 — Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Impact Analysis
CVE-2016-0752 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH), reflecting the serious risk it poses to affected environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, no direct integrity impact, and no direct availability impact. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, meaning exploitation is straightforward and can be reliably repeated. Organizations running Rails Ruby on Rails face tangible risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2016-0752 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-04-15, confirming that real-world exploitation has been observed. The EPSS score of 92.46% (99.7th percentile) places this vulnerability among those most likely to be exploited. Public exploit code is available in vulnerability databases, lowering the barrier for attackers and increasing the urgency of remediation.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions. This is the CISA-mandated remediation action and should be prioritized immediately.
- If patches cannot be applied immediately, restrict network access to the affected Ruby on Rails management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or access control lists.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for additional updates and ensure a patch management process is in place for timely deployment.
- Conduct a thorough review of affected systems for signs of prior compromise, including unexpected user accounts, modified configurations, and unusual network activity.
- Implement defense-in-depth measures including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous security monitoring for the affected infrastructure.
Technical Details
CVE-2016-0752 is exploitable remotely over the network without any prior authentication. Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files. The attack complexity is rated low, meaning no specialized conditions or preparation are needed beyond network access to the target. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the combination of these factors and the potential for significant damage to affected systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2016-0752 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2016-0752 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 92.46% (99.7th percentile) further indicates high exploitation likelihood.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-0752?
CVE-2016-0752 affects Rails Ruby on Rails. Specifically, affected products include rubyonrails rails, opensuse leap, opensuse opensuse, suse linux enterprise module for containers, debian debian linux, and others.
How do I fix CVE-2016-0752?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure your systems are updated to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to the affected system's management interfaces.
How severe is CVE-2016-0752?
CVE-2016-0752 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 (HIGH). This is a high-severity vulnerability that poses significant risk and requires prompt remediation. The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially compromise affected Ruby on Rails systems.
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