CVE-2017-5946: The Zip::File component in the rubyzip gem before 1.2.1 for Ruby has a directory traversal vulnerability

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-5946?

rubyzip: upgrade to 1.2.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-5946 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5946 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-2017-5946 affect?

CVE-2017-5946 affects rubyzip, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Zip::File component in the rubyzip gem before 1.2.1 for Ruby has a directory traversal vulnerability. If a site allows uploading of .zip files, an attacker can upload a malicious file that uses "../" pathname substrings to write arbitra

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-5946?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-5946 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting rubyzip, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Zip::File component in the rubyzip gem before 1.2.1 for Ruby has a directory traversal vulnerability. If a site allows uploading of .zip files, an attacker can upload a malicious file that uses "../" pathname substrings to write arbitrary files to the filesystem.

Why this priority

Critical severity
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	3.4% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2017-02-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · rubyzip project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-27 07:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rubyzip project rubyzip UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.2.1

Fixed in: 1.2.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rubyzip

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.

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-2017-5946?

rubyzip: upgrade to 1.2.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-5946 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5946 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-2017-5946 affect?

CVE-2017-5946 affects rubyzip, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Zip::File component in the rubyzip gem before 1.2.1 for Ruby has a directory traversal vulnerability. If a site allows uploading of .zip files, an attacker can upload a malicious file that uses "../" pathname substrings to write arbitra

How urgent is CVE-2017-5946?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Ruby vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-16892 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE In Rubyzip before 1.3.0, a crafted ZIP file can bypass application checks on ZIP entry sizes because data abou
CVE-2018-1000544 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE rubyzip gem rubyzip version 1.2.1 and earlier contains a Directory Traversal vulnerability in Zip::File compon

References

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