CVE-2019-16255 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2019-16255 is a vulnerability found in versions of Ruby from 2.4.7 to 2.5.6, as well as 2.6.x up to 2.6.4, that allows for code injection when untrusted data is passed as the first argument to specific methods in the Ruby library.

Understanding CVE-2019-16255

This vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary Ruby methods by exploiting the code injection flaw.

What is CVE-2019-16255?

The vulnerability in Ruby versions 2.4.7 to 2.5.6 and 2.6.x up to 2.6.4 allows for code injection when untrusted data is passed as the first argument to certain methods in the Ruby library.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16255

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized execution of Ruby methods, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16255

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when untrusted data is passed as the first argument to the Shell#[] or Shell#test methods located in lib/shell.rb, allowing for code injection.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions affected: Ruby 2.4.7 to 2.5.6, and 2.6.x up to 2.6.4
Affected products: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability allows an attacker to invoke any Ruby method at will, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16255 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ruby to a patched version that addresses the code injection vulnerability.
Implement input validation to prevent untrusted data from being passed to critical methods.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Ruby and other software components to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Ruby to fix the code injection vulnerability and ensure that systems are running the latest secure versions.