HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2017-0901
HIGHPOC

CVE-2017-0901

CWE-22Published: August 31, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

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.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2017-0901 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2017-0901. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Red Hat6 product(s)
enterprise linux desktopenterprise linux serverenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server eusenterprise linux server tusenterprise linux workstation
rubygems1 product(s)
rubygems
Source: NVD CPE · 16 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://blog.rubygems.org/2017/08/27/2.6.13-released.html
PATCHhttps://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/ad5c0a53a86ca5b218c7976765c0365b91d22cb2
PATCHhttps://hackerone.com/reports/243156
PATCHhttp://blog.rubygems.org/2017/08/27/2.6.13-released.html
PATCHhttps://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/ad5c0a53a86ca5b218c7976765c0365b91d22cb2
PATCHhttps://hackerone.com/reports/243156
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100580
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039249
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3485
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0378
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0583
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0585
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.html
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-01
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3553-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3685-1/
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3966
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42611/
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100580
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039249
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3485
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0378
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0583
ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0585
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.html
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-01
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3553-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3685-1/
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3966
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42611/

All References (30)

→
http://blog.rubygems.org/2017/08/27/2.6.13-released.htmlPatch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100580Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039249Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3485Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0378Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0583Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0585Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/ad5c0a53a86ca5b218c7976765c0365b91d22cb2Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://hackerone.com/reports/243156Exploit · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-01Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3553-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3685-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3966Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42611/Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2017-0901
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-22
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedAug 31, 2017

Related CVEs (CWE-22)

CVE-2015-0779
10.0
CVE-2010-5324
10.0
CVE-2011-5127
10.0
CVE-2011-2653
10.0
CVE-2013-6221
10.0
CVE-2010-5323
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2017-0901 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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