CVE-2017-0899: RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier is vulnerable to maliciously crafted gem specifications that include termi

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-0899?

rubygems: upgrade to newer than 2.6.12; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-0899 being exploited?

CVE-2017-0899 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-0899 affect?

CVE-2017-0899 affects rubygems, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier is vulnerable to maliciously crafted gem specifications that include terminal escape characters. Printing the gem specification would execute terminal escape sequences.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-0899?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-0899 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting rubygems, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier is vulnerable to maliciously crafted gem specifications that include terminal escape characters. Printing the gem specification would execute terminal escape sequences.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	11.1% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-150, CWE-94
Published	2017-08-31
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): HackerOne · Vendor: debian · redhat · rubygems

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-08-31 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rubygems rubygems UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.6.12

Fixed in: newer than 2.6.12

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rubygems || rpm -q rubygems || rubygems --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.6.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rubygems

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rubygems

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux server aus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.4 · 7.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4

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.

redhat enterprise linux server eus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.4 · 7.5 · 7.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

RubyGems · rubygems-update · FIXED · 2.6.13 · vulnerable: < 2.6.13 · source

bundle update rubygems-update bundle list | grep rubygems-update

Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400

Ubuntu 20.04 · jruby · NO FIX YET

Debian 12 · rubygems · FIXED · 3.2.0~rc.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rubygems dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' rubygems)" ge "3.2.0~rc.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · rubygems · FIXED · 3.2.0~rc.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rubygems dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' rubygems)" ge "3.2.0~rc.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 7 · ruby · FIXED · ruby-2.0.0.648-33.el7_4

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2018:0378 rpm -q ruby

RHEL 6 · rubygems · DEFERRED

Alpine 3.20 · ruby · FIXED · ruby-2.4.2-r0

apk add --upgrade ruby apk info -v ruby

Alpine 3.21 · ruby · FIXED · ruby-2.4.2-r0

apk add --upgrade ruby apk info -v ruby

Alpine 3.22 · ruby · FIXED · ruby-2.4.2-r0

apk add --upgrade ruby apk info -v ruby

Alpine 3.23 · ruby · FIXED · ruby-2.4.2-r0

apk add --upgrade ruby apk info -v ruby

Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2017-915 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2017-915

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: hackerone.com/reports/226335

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-2017-0899?

rubygems: upgrade to newer than 2.6.12; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-0899 being exploited?

CVE-2017-0899 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-2017-0899 affect?

CVE-2017-0899 affects rubygems, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier is vulnerable to maliciously crafted gem specifications that include terminal escape characters. Printing the gem specification would execute terminal escape sequences.

How urgent is CVE-2017-0899?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-36073 HIGH 8.3 UPGRADE RubyGems.org is the Ruby community gem host
CVE-2019-8325 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2
CVE-2019-8324 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2
CVE-2019-8323 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2
CVE-2019-8322 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2

References

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