CVE-2022-31071 is a security vulnerability identified in version 0.2.0 of the Octopoller Ruby gem, which is part of the Octokit project. Octopoller is a micro gem designed to facilitate polling and retrying operations in Ruby applications. The vulnerability arises from incorrect default file permissions set during the packaging of the gem. Specifically, files within the gem were assigned world-writable permissions (0666 or -rw-rw-rw-), allowing any user with access to the system where the gem is installed to modify these files. This is a classic example of CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions. Such overly permissive file settings can lead to unauthorized modification of the gem's files, potentially enabling attackers or malicious insiders to inject malicious code or alter the gem's behavior, thereby compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of applications relying on this gem. The issue was addressed in Octopoller version 0.3.0, which corrected the file permissions to a more secure setting (typically 0644 or -rw-r--r--). Until users can upgrade, two workarounds are recommended: either revert to the previous version 0.1.0, which does not have this issue, or manually adjust the file permissions to restrict write access. There are no known exploits in the wild, and the vulnerability requires local access to the system where the gem is installed. No authentication or user interaction is needed beyond having access to the affected environment.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the deployment context of the Octopoller gem. Organizations using Ruby applications that incorporate Octopoller 0.2.0 may face risks of unauthorized modification of gem files by any user with access to the host system. This can lead to code injection, privilege escalation, or persistent backdoors, undermining application integrity and potentially exposing sensitive data. The vulnerability primarily threatens internal systems where multiple users have access or where attackers have gained limited footholds. Given that Octopoller is a niche gem, the overall exposure might be limited, but critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government that rely on Ruby-based infrastructure could be at higher risk if they use this gem version. Additionally, supply chain risks exist if the gem is part of larger software stacks. The vulnerability does not directly enable remote exploitation but could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks following initial access. The impact on availability is moderate, as malicious modifications could disrupt application functionality. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are more significant due to the potential for code tampering.

European organizations should immediately audit their Ruby environments to identify installations of Octopoller version 0.2.0. If found, the primary mitigation is to upgrade to Octopoller version 0.3.0, which corrects the file permissions issue. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, organizations should manually correct file permissions on the installed gem files to remove world-write access, setting permissions to 0644 or more restrictive. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls on servers hosting Ruby applications, limiting user accounts and privileges to reduce the risk of unauthorized file modifications. Implementing file integrity monitoring (FIM) can help detect unauthorized changes to gem files. Regularly scanning for outdated or vulnerable dependencies using software composition analysis (SCA) tools is recommended. Finally, organizations should review internal policies to restrict write permissions on application libraries and ensure secure software supply chain practices.