#VU32601 Heap-based buffer overflow in Ruby - CVE-2013-4164

Vulnerability identifier: #VU32601

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 6.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2013-4164

CWE-ID: CWE-122

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Ruby
Universal components / Libraries / Scripting languages

Vendor: Ruby

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in Heap-based buffer overflow in Ruby 1.8, 1.9 before 1.9.3-p484, 2.0 before 2.0.0-p353, 2.1 before 2.1.0 preview2, and trunk before revision 43780. A remote attacker can use a string that is converted to a floating point value to trigger heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Update to version 2.1.0.

Vulnerable software versions

Ruby: 1.9.0 - 2.0.0

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External links
https://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2014-04/0134.html
https://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2014-10/0103.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-12/msg00009.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-12/msg00027.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-12/msg00028.html
https://osvdb.org/100113
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1763.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1764.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1767.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0011.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0215.html
https://secunia.com/advisories/55787
https://secunia.com/advisories/57376
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2809
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2810
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/63873
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2035-1
https://puppet.com/security/cve/cve-2013-4164
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT6536
https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2013/11/22/heap-overflow-in-floating-point-parsing-cve-2013-4164
https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2013/11/22/ruby-1-9-3-p484-is-released
https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2013/11/22/ruby-2-0-0-p353-is-released

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, a fully functional exploit for this vulnerability is available.