GLSA 200409-08: Ruby: CGI::Session creates files insecurely

Severity:normal
Title:Ruby: CGI::Session creates files insecurely
Date:09/03/2004
Bugs: #60525
ID:200409-08

Synopsis

When used for CGI scripting, Ruby creates session files in /tmp with the permissions of the default umask. Depending on that umask, local users may be able to read sensitive data stored in session files.

Background

Ruby is an Object Oriented, interpreted scripting language used for many system scripting tasks. It can also be used for CGI web applications.

Affected packages

Package Vulnerable Unaffected Architecture(s)
dev-lang/ruby < 1.8.2_pre2 >= 1.6.8-r11 All supported architectures

Description

The CGI::Session::FileStore implementation (and presumably CGI::Session::PStore), which allow data associated with a particular Session instance to be written to a file, writes to a file in /tmp with no regard for secure permissions. As a result, the file is left with whatever the default umask permissions are, which commonly would allow other local users to read the data from that session file.

Impact

Depending on the default umask, any data stored using these methods could be read by other users on the system.

Workaround

By changing the default umask on the system to not permit read access to other users (e.g. 0700), one can prevent these files from being readable by other users.

Resolution

All Ruby users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=dev-lang/ruby-your_version"
    # emerge ">=dev-lang/ruby-your_version"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200409-08.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.

License

Copyright 2010 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text belongs to its owner(s). The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

Thank you!