CVE-2017-0901

HIGH

RubyGems < 2.6.13 - Arbitrary File Write via Specification Name Validation Bypass

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2017-0901. PoCs published by mame.

AI-analyzed exploit summary CVE-2017-0901 exploits a directory traversal vulnerability in RubyGems by manipulating the 'name' field in metadata.gz to create or replace arbitrary files during gem installation. The PoC demonstrates file creation in /tmp and replacement of the 'rackup' command.

Description

RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier fails to validate specification names, allowing a maliciously crafted gem to potentially overwrite any file on the filesystem.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by mame · textlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42611

CVE-2017-0901 exploits a directory traversal vulnerability in RubyGems by manipulating the 'name' field in metadata.gz to create or replace arbitrary files during gem installation. The PoC demonstrates file creation in /tmp and replacement of the 'rackup' command.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: RubyGems (versions before fix)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: ability to install a malicious gem · target system with vulnerable RubyGems
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (15)

Core 15
Core References
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3685-1/
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3553-1/
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0585
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3966
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0378
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42611/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039249
Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://hackerone.com/reports/243156
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3485
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.html
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0583
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_gentoo
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-01
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100580
Patch, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_misc
http://blog.rubygems.org/2017/08/27/2.6.13-released.html

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.2021
EPSS Percentile 95.7%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Details

CWE
CWE-20 CWE-22
Status published
Products (18)
canonical/ubuntu_linux 14.04
canonical/ubuntu_linux 16.04
canonical/ubuntu_linux 17.10
debian/debian_linux 8.0
debian/debian_linux 9.0
HackerOne/RubyGems Versions before 2.6.13
redhat/enterprise_linux_desktop 7.0
redhat/enterprise_linux_server 7.0
redhat/enterprise_linux_server_aus 7.4
redhat/enterprise_linux_server_aus 7.6
... and 8 more
Published Aug 31, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026