CVE-2019-18978 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2019-18978, a vulnerability in the rack-cors gem allowing unauthorized access to private resources through directory traversal. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
A vulnerability was found in the rack-cors gem, also known as Rack CORS Middleware, prior to version 1.0.4 for Ruby. This vulnerability enables unauthorized access to private resources through directory traversal by exploiting the lack of pathname canonicalization during resource matching.
Understanding CVE-2019-18978
This CVE identifies a security issue in the rack-cors gem for Ruby versions prior to 1.0.4.
What is CVE-2019-18978?
CVE-2019-18978 is a vulnerability in the rack-cors gem that allows unauthorized access to private resources through directory traversal.
The Impact of CVE-2019-18978
The vulnerability can be exploited to access private resources by manipulating pathnames due to a lack of canonicalization during resource matching.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-18978
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue in the rack-cors gem allows directory traversal, leading to unauthorized access to private resources.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The lack of pathname canonicalization during resource matching enables attackers to exploit directory traversal and access private resources.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-18978 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade to version 1.0.4 or later of the rack-cors gem.
- Monitor and restrict access to sensitive resources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement input validation to prevent directory traversal attacks.
- Regularly update and patch software components to address security vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security audits to identify and mitigate similar issues.
- Stay informed about security advisories and updates from relevant sources.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all relevant software components, including the rack-cors gem, are regularly updated to the latest secure versions.