USN-195-1: Ruby vulnerability

Publication date

10 October 2005

Overview

Ruby vulnerability

Releases


Details

The object oriented scripting language Ruby supports safely executing
untrusted code with two mechanisms: safe level and taint flag on
objects. Dr. Yutaka Oiwa discovered a vulnerability that allows
Ruby methods to bypass these mechanisms. In systems which use this
feature, this could be exploited to execute Ruby code beyond the
restrictions specified in each safe level.

The object oriented scripting language Ruby supports safely executing
untrusted code with two mechanisms: safe level and taint flag on
objects. Dr. Yutaka Oiwa discovered a vulnerability that allows
Ruby methods to bypass these mechanisms. In systems which use this
feature, this could be exploited to execute Ruby code beyond the
restrictions specified in each safe level.

Update instructions

In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.

Learn more about how to get the fixes.

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu Release Package Version
5.04 hoary ruby1.8 – 
4.10 warty ruby1.8 – 

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