Platform
ruby
Component
thumbshooter
Fixed in
0.1.6
CVE-2013-1898 describes a command injection vulnerability found in the Thumbshooter gem for Ruby. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server by injecting malicious shell metacharacters into a URL. The vulnerability impacts versions of Thumbshooter up to and including 0.1.5. While a fix is available via upgrading, legacy systems may require alternative mitigation strategies.
The impact of CVE-2013-1898 is significant due to the potential for remote command execution. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the affected server, leading to data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. Successful exploitation could involve reading sensitive files, installing malware, or even pivoting to other systems on the same network. The ability to inject arbitrary commands makes this a particularly dangerous vulnerability, akin to other command injection flaws that have led to widespread compromise.
CVE-2013-1898 was published in 2017, indicating it has been known for some time. There is no indication of it being on KEV or having an EPSS score. Public proof-of-concept (POC) exploits are likely available given the nature of the vulnerability and its age. While no active campaigns are explicitly reported, the ease of exploitation means it remains a potential target for opportunistic attackers, especially on systems with outdated software.
Exploit Status
EPSS
0.98% (77% percentile)
The primary mitigation for CVE-2013-1898 is to upgrade to a version of Thumbshooter that addresses the vulnerability. Unfortunately, no specific patched version is listed in the CVE details. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, consider implementing input validation on the URL parameters processed by Thumbshooter to sanitize against shell metacharacters. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured to block requests containing suspicious characters can also provide a layer of defense. Carefully review and restrict the permissions of the Ruby process running Thumbshooter to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation.
No official patch available. Check for workarounds or monitor for updates.
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CVE-2013-1898 is a command injection vulnerability in the Thumbshooter gem for Ruby, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands via URLs. It affects versions up to 0.1.5 and has a HIGH severity rating.
You are affected if you are using Thumbshooter version 0.1.5 or earlier in your Ruby application and are exposed to external user input in URLs.
The recommended fix is to upgrade to a patched version of Thumbshooter. If upgrading is not possible, implement strict input validation on URL parameters to prevent shell metacharacter injection.
While no active campaigns are explicitly reported, the vulnerability's age and ease of exploitation suggest it remains a potential target for opportunistic attackers.
Official advisories for Thumbshooter are not readily available. Refer to the NVD (National Vulnerability Database) entry for CVE-2013-1898 for more information: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-1898
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