RDoc 3.12.2 Gem: High Severity Vulnerabilities Found

This article delves into the vulnerabilities identified in the rdoc-3.12.2.gem, a Ruby documentation tool. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of Ruby projects. We will explore the nature of these issues, their potential impact, and possible remediation strategies.

Vulnerable Library: rdoc-3.12.2.gem

RDoc is a vital tool for Ruby developers, as it generates HTML and command-line documentation directly from Ruby source code. It includes the rdoc and ri tools, which are essential for creating and displaying online documentation. Understanding RDoc's role and its potential vulnerabilities is key to ensuring project security.

Details of the Vulnerable Library

The rdoc-3.12.2.gem library is responsible for producing HTML and command-line documentation for Ruby projects. It includes tools like rdoc and ri for generating and displaying online documentation. This gem is integral to many Ruby projects for creating and maintaining documentation. The path to the dependency file is /Gemfile.lock, and the path to the vulnerable library is /vendor/cache/rdoc-3.12.2.gem. This highlights its location within the project's dependency structure.

Findings Overview

The analysis reveals two significant vulnerabilities:

• CVE-2020-10663: A high-severity vulnerability within the json-1.8.6.gem dependency, with a CVSS score of 7.5.
• CVE-2021-31799: A high-severity vulnerability directly within rdoc-3.12.2.gem, with a CVSS score of 7.0.

These findings underscore the importance of addressing both direct and indirect dependencies to secure your Ruby projects.

Vulnerability Details

Let's dive deeper into each of these vulnerabilities.

🔴 CVE-2020-10663

This vulnerability resides in the json-1.8.6.gem, a dependency of rdoc-3.12.2.gem. It is crucial to understand the nature and impact of this vulnerability to mitigate potential risks.

Vulnerable Library: json-1.8.6.gem

The json-1.8.6.gem is a Ruby extension written in C that provides JSON implementation. Its role is to parse and generate JSON data, a common format for data exchange on the web. The library's homepage can be found here.

Dependency Hierarchy

The vulnerability exists within json-1.8.6.gem, which is a dependency of rdoc-3.12.2.gem. This means that the vulnerability is not directly in the RDoc gem but is introduced through one of its dependencies.

• rdoc-3.12.2.gem (Root Library)
  • ❌ json-1.8.6.gem (Vulnerable Library)

Vulnerability Explanation

The JSON gem through version 2.2.0 has an Unsafe Object Creation Vulnerability. This issue allows for the creation of malicious objects within the Ruby interpreter when parsing JSON data. This vulnerability is similar to CVE-2013-0269 but does not depend on garbage-collection behavior. The vulnerability arises from the use of JSON parsing methods that can lead to the instantiation of a malicious object, with consequences that vary depending on the application.

Impact and Severity

• Severity: High (CVSS 7.5)
• Exploit Maturity: Not Defined
• EPSS: 6.5%

The high severity score indicates a significant risk, although the exploit maturity being undefined suggests that active exploitation may not be widespread. The EPSS score of 6.5% indicates the probability of exploitation.

Remediation

Unfortunately, the provided data does not include a specific fixed version or remediation steps. However, the suggested fix is to upgrade the version of the json gem. It is crucial to check for updates and apply the latest secure version to mitigate this vulnerability. Regularly monitoring security advisories related to the json gem is also recommended.

🔴 CVE-2021-31799

This vulnerability is found directly within the rdoc-3.12.2.gem. Understanding its nature and impact is critical for maintaining the security of your Ruby projects.

Vulnerable Library: rdoc-3.12.2.gem

As previously mentioned, RDoc produces HTML and command-line documentation for Ruby projects. It includes the rdoc and ri tools, which are used for generating and displaying online documentation. The library's homepage is here.

Dependency Hierarchy

In this case, the vulnerability is directly within the rdoc-3.12.2.gem itself.

• ❌ rdoc-3.12.2.gem (Vulnerable Library)

Vulnerability Explanation

RDoc versions 3.11 through 6.x before 6.3.1 are susceptible to arbitrary code execution via | and <tt> tags in a filename. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious code into the documentation generation process, leading to potential system compromise. This vulnerability is present in RDoc versions distributed with Ruby through 3.0.1.

Impact and Severity

• Severity: High (CVSS 7.0)
• Exploit Maturity: Not Defined
• EPSS: < 1%

The high severity score indicates a significant risk. While the exploit maturity is not defined, the potential for arbitrary code execution makes this a critical vulnerability to address. The EPSS score being less than 1% suggests a low probability of exploitation, but the impact could be severe if exploited.

Remediation

The suggested fix is to upgrade the version of RDoc. Specifically, upgrading to version 6.3.1 or later will resolve this vulnerability. It is crucial to upgrade RDoc to a secure version to prevent potential code execution exploits. Regularly monitoring security advisories related to RDoc is also recommended.

Conclusion

The rdoc-3.12.2.gem is vulnerable to CVE-2021-31799, and it depends on json-1.8.6.gem which is vulnerable to CVE-2020-10663. Addressing these vulnerabilities is paramount for maintaining the security of Ruby projects. By understanding the nature of these issues and applying the appropriate remediation steps, developers can protect their systems from potential exploits.

Key Takeaways

• Identify Vulnerabilities: Regularly scan your Ruby projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Mend.
• Dependency Management: Pay close attention to both direct and indirect dependencies.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your gems and libraries to the latest secure versions.
• Monitor Security Advisories: Stay informed about the latest security threats and vulnerabilities by monitoring security advisories from trusted sources.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of vulnerabilities in your Ruby projects and maintain a secure development environment.

For further information on Ruby security best practices, visit the OWASP Ruby on Rails Security Guide.