CVE-2019-17268 : Security Advisory and Response

The Ruby gem omniauth-weibo-oauth2 version 0.4.6 was found to contain a malicious code-inserted exploit, posing a security risk to users. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this CVE.

Understanding CVE-2019-17268

The omniauth-weibo-oauth2 gem version 0.4.6 for Ruby distributed on RubyGems.org had a code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. Versions 0.4.5 and 0.5.1 onwards are not affected.

What is CVE-2019-17268?

This CVE refers to a security vulnerability in the Ruby gem omniauth-weibo-oauth2 version 0.4.6, where a malicious code-inserted exploit was present.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17268

The presence of a code-execution backdoor in version 0.4.6 could allow unauthorized individuals to exploit the gem.
Versions 0.4.5 and 0.5.1 onwards are safe from this security issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17268

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are crucial to understanding its implications.

Vulnerability Description

Ruby gem omniauth-weibo-oauth2 version 0.4.6 contained a code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected version: 0.4.6
Unaffected versions: 0.4.5, 0.5.1, and later

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized individuals could exploit the backdoor in version 0.4.6 to execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are essential to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2019-17268.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should avoid using version 0.4.6 of the omniauth-weibo-oauth2 gem.
Consider updating to versions 0.4.5, 0.5.1, or later, which are not affected.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches for the gem.
Verify the integrity of third-party code before integrating it into projects.

Patching and Updates

Developers should promptly apply patches released by the gem maintainers to address security vulnerabilities.