CVE-2019-8321: An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-8321 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rubygems, debian linux, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2. Since Gem::UserInteraction#verbose calls say without escaping, escape sequence injection is possible.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.3% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-88
Published	2019-06-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · opensuse · rubygems

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-06-17 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rubygems rubygems UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.6.0 and <= 3.0.2

Fixed in: newer than 3.0.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.6.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.0.2 (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.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rubygems sudo apt install rubygems=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.0> sudo apt-mark hold rubygems

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rubygems sudo dnf downgrade rubygems-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rubygems

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.0 · 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

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-2019-8321?

rubygems: upgrade to newer than 3.0.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-8321 being exploited?

CVE-2019-8321 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-2019-8321 affect?

CVE-2019-8321 affects rubygems, debian linux, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An issue was discovered in RubyGems 2.6 and later through 3.0.2. Since Gem::UserInteraction#verbose calls say without escaping, escape sequence injection is possible.

How urgent is CVE-2019-8321?

Priority 58/100. High severity; 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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