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CVE-2004-0983: The CGI module in Ruby 1.6 before 1.6.8, and 1.8 before 1.8.2, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of se

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0983 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting ruby, linux, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The CGI module in Ruby 1.6 before 1.6.8, and 1.8 before 1.8.2, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via a certain HTTP request.

Why this priority

  • On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance1.9% (top 20%)
CISA exploited listNo
Published2005-03-01
Last modified2026-06-16
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gentoo · mandrakesoft · ubuntu · yukihiro matsumoto

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

yukihiro matsumoto ruby DOWNGRADE
Affected: 1.6 · 1.6.7 · 1.8 · 1.8.1 · 1.8.2_pre1 · 1.8.2_pre2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy ruby || rpm -q ruby || ruby --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison ruby sudo apt install ruby=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo apt-mark hold ruby
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list ruby sudo dnf downgrade ruby-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo dnf versionlock add ruby
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
gentoo linux MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.2 · 10.0 · 10.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
mandrakesoft mandrake linux corporate server MITIGATE
Affected: 2.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
ubuntu ubuntu linux MITIGATE
Affected: 4.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.1
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2004-0983?

ruby: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0983 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0983 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2004-0983 affect?

CVE-2004-0983 affects ruby, linux, mandrake linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The CGI module in Ruby 1.6 before 1.6.8, and 1.8 before 1.8.2, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via a certain HTTP request.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0983?

Priority 42/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Ruby vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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