The example code for the digest authentication functionality (http_authentication.rb) in...

Vulnerability Description

The example code for the digest authentication functionality (http_authentication.rb) in Ruby on Rails before 2.3.3 defines an authenticate_or_request_with_http_digest block that returns nil instead of false when the user does not exist, which allows context-dependent attackers to bypass authentication for applications that are derived from this example by sending an invalid username without a password.

References

• http://secunia.com/advisories/35702
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35579
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
• http://weblog.rubyonrails.org/2009/6/3/security-problem-with-authenticate_with_http_digest
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1802
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
• http://n8.tumblr.com/post/117477059/security-hole-found-in-rails-2-3s
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/51528