Description
The cgi.rb CGI library for Ruby 1.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via an HTTP request with a multipart MIME body that contains an invalid boundary specifier, as demonstrated using a specifier that begins with a "-" instead of "--" and contains an inconsistent ID.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.1 | ruby1.6 | 1.6.8-12sarge3 | DSA-1234-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | ruby1.8 | 1.8.2-7sarge5 | DSA-1235-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | irb +6 | 1.8.1-7.EL4.8 | RHSA-2006:0729 |
| RHEL 3 | irb +6 | 1.6.8-9.EL3.8 | RHSA-2006:0729 |
| RHEL 2 | irb +5 | 1.6.4-2.AS21.4 | RHSA-2006:0729 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2006:0729 Red Hat Security Advisory: ruby security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1234-1 ruby1.6 Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1235-1 ruby1.8 Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- GLSA-200611-12 vendor-advisory
- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305530
- 22932 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2007-1939 vdb-entry
- 23344 third-party-advisory
- 22615 third-party-advisory
- OpenPKG-SA-2006.030 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2007-05-24 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10185 vdb-entry signature
- 22761 third-party-advisory
- 25402 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2006:026 vendor-advisory
- 23040 third-party-advisory
- [mongrel-users] 20061025 [SEC] Mongrel Temporary Fix For cgi.rb 99% CPU DoS Attack mailing-list
- 20777 vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2006:192 vendor-advisory
- 1017194 vdb-entry
- DSA-1235 vendor-advisory
- USN-371-1 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2006-4244 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2006:0729 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1234 vendor-advisory
- 22929 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2006-4245 vdb-entry
- 22624 third-party-advisory