CVE-2019-11879: ruby-lang webrick Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2019-11879 is a medium (CVSS 5.5) Path Traversal vulnerability in ruby-lang webrick. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 44.8% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 10-05-2019
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 04-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The WEBrick gem 1.4.2 for Ruby allows directory traversal if the attacker once had local access to create a symlink to a location outside of the web root directory. NOTE: The vendor states that this is analogous to Options FollowSymlinks in the Apache HTTP Server, and therefore it is "not a problem.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
• CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.