CVE-2017-0901: Input Validation

Published Aug 31, 2017
·
Updated

Last updated 11 July 2025

Other sources

RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier fails to validate specification names, allowing a maliciously crafted gem to potentially overwrite any file on the filesystem.

Upstream patch:

https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/ad5c0a53a86ca5b218c7976765c0365b91d22cb2

Bug report:

https://hackerone.com/reports/243156

External References:

http://blog.rubygems.org/2017/08/27/2.6.13-released.html

— Red Hat

Affected Software

45 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/rubygems<2.6.13
2.6.13
redhat/ruby<2.4.2
2.4.2
redhat/ruby<2.2.8
2.2.8
redhat/ruby<2.3.5
2.3.5
Rubygems RubyGems<=2.6.12
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=17.10
redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Server=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Aus=7.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Aus=7.6
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus=7.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus=7.5
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus=7.6
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Tus=7.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Tus=7.6
redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation=7.0
debian/rubygems
3.2.5-23.2.5-2+deb11u13.3.15-2+deb12u13.6.7-2
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.2.8-r0
2.2.8-r0
alpine/ruby<2.3.5-r0
2.3.5-r0
alpine/ruby<2.3.5-r0
2.3.5-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby<2.4.2-r0
2.4.2-r0
alpine/ruby2.2<2.2.8-r0
2.2.8-r0
alpine/ruby2.2<2.2.8-r0
2.2.8-r0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rubygems to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.6.13
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.2
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.2.8
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.5
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/rubygems to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.2.5-2Fixed in 3.2.5-2+deb11u1Fixed in 3.3.15-2+deb12u1Fixed in 3.6.7-2
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.2-r0
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.2.8-r0
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/ruby to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.5-r0
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade alpine/ruby2.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.2.8-r0
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade RubyGems to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.6.13

Event History

Aug 31, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:00 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:29 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via OSV·08:29 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the vulnerability ID?

The vulnerability ID is CVE-2017-0901.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2017-0901?

The severity of CVE-2017-0901 is high, with a severity value of 7.5.

3

How does CVE-2017-0901 affect RubyGems?

CVE-2017-0901 affects RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier.

4

What is the impact of CVE-2017-0901?

CVE-2017-0901 allows a maliciously crafted gem to potentially overwrite any file on the filesystem.

5

How can I fix CVE-2017-0901?

To fix CVE-2017-0901, update RubyGems to version 2.6.13 or later.

Company

Resources

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203