CVE-2017-16229: In the Ox gem 2.8.1 for Ruby, the process crashes with a stack-based buffer over-read in the read_from_str fun

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MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-16229 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ox. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the Ox gem 2.8.1 for Ruby, the process crashes with a stack-based buffer over-read in the read_from_str function in sax_buf.c when a crafted input is supplied to sax_parse.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2018-02-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ox project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-02-26 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ox project ox DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.8.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.8.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.8.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ox sudo apt install ox=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.1> sudo apt-mark hold ox

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ox sudo dnf downgrade ox-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.1> sudo dnf versionlock add ox

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.

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-2017-16229?

ox: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-16229 being exploited?

CVE-2017-16229 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-2017-16229 affect?

CVE-2017-16229 affects ox. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). In the Ox gem 2.8.1 for Ruby, the process crashes with a stack-based buffer over-read in the read_from_str function in sax_buf.c when a crafted input is supplied to sax_parse.

How urgent is CVE-2017-16229?

Priority 40/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-15928 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE In the Ox gem 2.8.0 for Ruby, the process crashes with a segmentation fault when a crafted input is supplied t

References

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