CVE-2020-8163 : Security Advisory and Response

A code injection vulnerability in Rails versions prior to 5.0.1 allows attackers to execute remote code by controlling the

locals

argument in a

render

call.

Understanding CVE-2020-8163

This CVE involves a critical code injection flaw in Rails that could lead to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2020-8163?

CVE-2020-8163 is a vulnerability in Rails versions before 5.0.1 that enables attackers to perform remote code execution by manipulating the

locals

parameter in a

render

function.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8163

This vulnerability poses a severe risk as it allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8163

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Rails versions prior to 5.0.1 permits attackers to achieve remote code execution by exploiting the

locals

argument within a

render

call.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Rails versions before 5.0.1
Fixed Version: 4.2.11.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the

locals

parameter in a

render

call to inject and execute malicious code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-8163 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Rails to version 5.0.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict user input to prevent unauthorized code execution.
Implement strict input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Rails promptly to address the code injection vulnerability and enhance system security.