Buffer overflow in Ruby-Lang Ruby

CVE-2016-2338

An exploitable heap overflow vulnerability exists in the Psych::Emitter start_document function of Ruby. In Psych::Emitter start_document function heap buffer "head" allocation is made based on tags array length. Specially constructed object passed as element of tags array can increase this array size after mentioned allocation and cause heap overflow.

Vulnerability class: Buffer Overflow

EPSS: 0.047 (91.2th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 9.8 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2338?
CVE-2016-2338 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Ruby-Lang Ruby, classified under Out-of-bounds Write. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2022-09-29.
How severe is CVE-2016-2338?
Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.
Is CVE-2016-2338 known to be exploited?
1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.