Ruby Gem ConfigFile Exposure Detection Scanner

Ruby Gem is the official package management system for the Ruby programming language, used to distribute libraries and applications in self-contained packages called gems. It is widely adopted by developers, DevOps teams, and organizations to manage dependencies and publish Ruby projects. In production, Ruby Gem relies on a credentials file for authentication when pushing gems to servers like RubyGems.org.

The vulnerability involves exposure of the Ruby Gem credentials file, typically located at ~/.gem/credentials. This file contains API keys or tokens used for authentication. Exposure arises from misconfigurations such as incorrect file permissions, insecure web server settings, or accidental inclusion in public repositories, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive credentials.

Technically, the scanner checks for the presence and accessibility of the .gem/credentials file on web servers or public directories. It verifies if the file is readable via HTTP requests, indicating a misconfiguration that exposes the credentials. The vulnerability does not have a specific CVE but is a common security issue in Ruby environments.

If exploited, an attacker could steal the credentials to publish malicious gems under the victim's identity, compromise the integrity of Ruby packages, or gain unauthorized access to gem hosting services. This could lead to supply chain attacks, data breaches, and reputational damage for organizations relying on Ruby gems.