CVE-2017-17919 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2017-17919 was published on December 29, 2017, and affects the 'order' method in Ruby on Rails 5.1.4 and earlier versions. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to potentially execute unauthorized SQL commands by manipulating the 'id desc' parameter.

Understanding CVE-2017-17919

This CVE entry highlights a SQL injection vulnerability in Ruby on Rails.

What is CVE-2017-17919?

The 'order' method in Ruby on Rails 5.1.4 and previous versions may be susceptible to SQL injection, enabling attackers to execute unauthorized SQL commands by manipulating the 'id desc' parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17919

This vulnerability could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, posing a risk of unauthorized data access and manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17919

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The 'order' method in Ruby on Rails 5.1.4 and earlier versions is vulnerable to SQL injection, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Ruby on Rails 5.1.4 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the 'id desc' parameter to execute unauthorized SQL commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-17919, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid using the 'order' method with untrusted input
Regularly monitor and update Ruby on Rails to the latest secure versions

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and sanitization to prevent SQL injection attacks
Educate developers on secure coding practices to mitigate similar vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by Ruby on Rails to fix the vulnerability