ruby: Tainted flags are not propagated in Array#pack and String#unpack with some directives
Published Nov 16, 2018
8.1
HIGHCVSS 3.0
EPSS 7.97%
Description
An issue was discovered in Ruby before 2.3.8, 2.4.x before 2.4.5, 2.5.x before 2.5.2, and 2.6.x before 2.6.0-preview3. It does not taint strings that result from unpacking tainted strings with some formats.
Affected products
No data.
Configuration 1
Configuration 2
- 14.04
- 16.04
- 18.04
- 18.10
Configuration 3
- 8.0
- 9.0
Configuration 4
- 6.0
- 7.0
- 7.4
- 7.5
- 7.6
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
ruby-0:2.0.0.648-36.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2019:2028
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Advanced Update Support
ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4
Fixed · RHSA-2020:2769
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Telco Extended Update Support
ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4
Fixed · RHSA-2020:2769
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions
ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4
Fixed · RHSA-2020:2769
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 Extended Update Support
ruby-0:2.0.0.648-38.el7_6
Fixed · RHSA-2020:2839
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3729
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3730
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3729
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3730
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3731
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3729
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3730
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3731
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS
rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3729
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS
rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3730
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS
rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3731
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS
rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3729
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS
rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3730
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS
rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2018:3731
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
ruby
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
ruby
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
ruby
Not affected
Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager
ruby193
Will not fix
Red Hat Virtualization 4
ruby
Will not fix
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | ruby-0:2.0.0.648-36.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2028 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Advanced Update Support | ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:2769 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Telco Extended Update Support | ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:2769 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions | ruby-0:2.0.0.648-37.el7_4 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:2769 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 Extended Update Support | ruby-0:2.0.0.648-38.el7_6 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:2839 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3729 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3730 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3729 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3730 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3731 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3729 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3730 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3731 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS | rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3729 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS | rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3730 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 EUS | rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3731 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS | rh-ruby23-ruby-0:2.3.8-69.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3729 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS | rh-ruby24-ruby-0:2.4.5-91.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3730 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6 EUS | rh-ruby25-ruby-0:2.5.3-6.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | ruby | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | ruby | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | ruby | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager | ruby193 | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 | ruby | Will not fix | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
Subscription Asset Manager is now in a reduced support phase receiving only Critical impact security fixes. This issue has been rated as having a security impact of Low, and is not currently planned to be addressed in future updates. Red Hat Virtualization includes a vulnerable version of ruby, however the affected functionality is not used in Red Hat Virtualization or any of its dependencies. A future update may address this issue.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
No CVSS v3.1 score for this CVE.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
1 other source (Red Hat) ▾
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
No CISA SSVC assessment for this CVE yet.
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
Score over time
2021–2026- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (34 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 7.97% (0.07968) | 94.58th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 7.97% (0.07968) | 93.98th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Mar 4, 2026 | 3.29% (0.03288) | 86.96th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 1, 2026 | 4.30% (0.04297) | 88.70th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Feb 4, 2026 | 3.29% (0.03288) | 86.87th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Feb 1, 2026 | 4.30% (0.04297) | 88.63th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Jan 4, 2026 | 3.29% (0.03288) | 86.82th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Jan 1, 2026 | 4.30% (0.04297) | 88.57th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 4, 2025 | 3.29% (0.03288) | 86.76th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 4.30% (0.04297) | 88.49th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 3.29% (0.03288) | 86.72th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 6.72% (0.06720) | 90.34th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| May 31, 2025 | 3.68% (0.03683) | 87.33th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| May 30, 2025 | 5.21% (0.05208) | 89.41th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Apr 13, 2025 | 2.83% (0.02835) | 85.01th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Apr 12, 2025 | 5.21% (0.05208) | 89.02th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 30, 2025 | 3.92% (0.03925) | 87.23th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 13.33% (0.13331) | 90.27th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 3.68% (0.03683) | 87.12th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 12, 2024 | 0.94% (0.00935) | 83.72th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 1.32% (0.01322) | 86.05th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| May 18, 2024 | 1.41% (0.01409) | 86.42th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Apr 8, 2024 | 1.31% (0.01313) | 85.67th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Nov 10, 2023 | 1.07% (0.01066) | 82.49th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Oct 26, 2023 | 0.87% (0.00871) | 80.54th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 8, 2023 | 0.86% (0.00864) | 80.09th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 0.78% (0.00777) | 78.57th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 2.69% (0.02686) | 82.85th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 2.69% (0.02686) | 81.17th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 2.69% (0.02686) | 62.66th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 3, 2022 | 3.48% (0.03480) | 68.33th | v1 |
| Jan 6, 2022 | 3.48% (0.03480) | 68.04th | v1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | 3.48% (0.03480) | 82.00th | v1 |
| Apr 14, 2021 | 3.48% (0.03480) | 0.00th | v1 |
References (20)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00036.html vendor-advisoryx_refsource_SUSE
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1042106 vdb-entryx_refsource_SECTRACKThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3729 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3730 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3731 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2028 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-16396 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1643089 Issue Tracking
- https://hackerone.com/reports/385070 x_refsource_MISCPermissions RequiredThird Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/10/msg00020.html mailing-listx_refsource_MLISTThird Party Advisory
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-16396
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190221-0002/ x_refsource_CONFIRMThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3808-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-16396
- https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4332 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_DEBIANThird Party Advisory
- https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/10/17/not-propagated-taint-flag-in-some-formats-of-pack-cve-2018-16396/ x_refsource_CONFIRMVendor Advisory
- https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/10/17/ruby-2-3-8-released/ x_refsource_CONFIRMRelease Notes
- https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/10/17/ruby-2-4-5-released/ x_refsource_CONFIRMRelease Notes
- https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/10/17/ruby-2-5-2-released/ x_refsource_CONFIRMRelease Notes
- https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/11/06/ruby-2-6-0-preview3-released/ x_refsource_CONFIRMRelease Notes
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.