CVE-2016-0752: Actionview Path Traversal Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-xrr4-p6fq-hjg7
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CVSS 7.5
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-0752 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Actionview libraries in the RubyGems ecosystem. The issue involves directory traversal vulnerability in action view in ruby on rails. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1, 3.2.22.1.

CVE-2016-0752 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-0752
GHSA Identifier GHSA-xrr4-p6fq-hjg7
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product Actionview
Package Ecosystem RubyGems
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2016-0752

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Actionview dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

actionview fixed: 4.1.14.1 
Upgrade actionview to 4.1.14.1
actionview fixed: 4.2.5.1 
Upgrade actionview to 4.2.5.1
actionpack fixed: 4.1.14.1 
Upgrade actionpack to 4.1.14.1
actionpack fixed: 4.2.5.1 
Upgrade actionpack to 4.2.5.1
actionpack fixed: 3.2.22.1 
Upgrade actionpack to 3.2.22.1
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for actionview

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2016-0752, inspect your project dependencies for Actionview:

inspect dependencies for actionview

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Actionview in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.1.14.1), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where 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. In Actionview, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails before 3.2.22.1, 4.0.x and 4.1.x before 4.1.14.1, 4.2.x before 4.2.5.1, and 5.x before 5.0.0.beta1.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by leveraging an application's unrestricted use of the render method and providing a `..` (dot dot) in a pathname.

CVE-2016-0752 Affected Actionview Versions

5 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
4.1.14.14.2.5.13.2.22.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
actionview
gem/actionview
RubyGems
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.1.14.1
4.1.14.1
actionview
gem/actionview
RubyGems
≥ 4.2.0
< 4.2.5.1
4.2.5.1
actionpack
gem/actionpack
RubyGems
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.1.14.1
4.1.14.1
actionpack
gem/actionpack
RubyGems
≥ 4.2.0
< 4.2.5.1
4.2.5.1
actionpack
gem/actionpack
RubyGems
< 3.2.22.1
3.2.22.1

References

NVD — CVE-2016-0752 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-0752
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-xrr4-p6fq-hjg7
Actionview Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/actionpack/CVE-2016-0752.yml
Actionview Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/actionview/CVE-2016-0752.yml
groups.google.com/forum/ WEB
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rubyonrails-security/335P1DcLG00
groups.google.com/forum/message/raw WEB
https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ruby-security-ann/335P1DcLG00/JXcBnTtZEgAJ
web.archive.org/web/20210618005620/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20210618005620/https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ruby-security-ann/335P1DcLG00/JXcBnTtZEgAJ
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20210621170450/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/81801
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20210723192420/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034816
www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vul... WEB
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0752
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40561 WEB
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40561
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-a... WEB
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178044.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-a... WEB
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178069.html
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00053.html
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/20... WEB
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00034.html
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/20... WEB
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00043.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2016-02... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0296.html
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3464
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/25/13
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/81801
Actionview Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034816

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-0752?
CVE-2016-0752 is a security vulnerability in Actionview involving Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which Actionview versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1, 3.2.22.1 across affected packages: actionview, actionpack.
What version fixes CVE-2016-0752?
Upgrading to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1, 3.2.22.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is actionview affected?
Yes, actionview is affected in releases prior to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1. Upgrade your dependency to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1 or later.
Is actionpack affected?
Yes, actionpack is affected in releases prior to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1, 3.2.22.1. Upgrade your dependency to 4.1.14.1, 4.2.5.1, 3.2.22.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-0752?
CVE-2016-0752 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-0752?
CVE-2016-0752 is classified under CWE-22: Improper 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.).
How can I check RubyGems dependencies for CVE-2016-0752?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for actionview'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-xrr4-p6fq-hjg7",
  "modified" : "2025-10-22T17:35:03Z",
  "published" : "2017-10-24T18:33:35Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-0752" ],
  "summary" : "Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails",
  "details" : "Directory traversal vulnerability in Action View in Ruby on Rails before 3.2.22.1, 4.0.x and 4.1.x before 4.1.14.1, 4.2.x before 4.2.5.1, and 5.x before 5.0.0.beta1.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by leveraging an application's unrestricted use of the render method and providing a `..` (dot dot) in a pathname.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
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      "name" : "actionview"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.1.14.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.1.14.0"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "RubyGems",
      "name" : "actionview"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "4.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.2.5.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.2.5.0"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "RubyGems",
      "name" : "actionpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.1.14.0"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "RubyGems",
      "name" : "actionpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
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      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.2.5.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.2.5.0"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "RubyGems",
      "name" : "actionpack"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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      }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
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  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-xrr4-p6fq-hjg7"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/actionpack/CVE-2016-0752.yml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/actionview/CVE-2016-0752.yml"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rubyonrails-security/335P1DcLG00"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ruby-security-ann/335P1DcLG00/JXcBnTtZEgAJ"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20210618005620/https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ruby-security-ann/335P1DcLG00/JXcBnTtZEgAJ"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20210621170450/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/81801"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20210723192420/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034816"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-0752"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40561"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178044.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-February/178069.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-04/msg00053.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00034.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-02/msg00043.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0296.html"
  }, {
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    "url" : "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3464"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/01/25/13"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/81801"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034816"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T22:04:24Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2016-02-16T02:59:06Z"
  }
}