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OpenAdvisories
Medium · 4.5 CVE-2026-33306 EUVD-2026-14670GHSA-f27w-vcwj-c954

bcrypt-ruby has an Integer Overflow that Causes Zero Key-Strengthening Iterations at Cost=31 on JRuby

Published Mar 24, 2026 · Updated Mar 24, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

Description

bcrypt-ruby is a Ruby binding for the OpenBSD bcrypt() password hashing algorithm. Prior to version 3.1.22, an integer overflow in the Java BCrypt implementation for JRuby can cause zero iterations in the strengthening loop. Impacted applications must be setting the cost to 31 to see this happen. The JRuby implementation of bcrypt-ruby (`BCrypt.java`) computes the key-strengthening round count as a signed 32-bit integer. When `cost=31` (the maximum allowed by the gem), signed integer overflow causes the round count to become negative, and the strengthening loop executes **zero iterations**. This collapses bcrypt from 2^31 rounds of exponential key-strengthening to effectively constant-time computation — only the initial EksBlowfish key setup and final 64x encryption phase remain. The resulting hash looks valid (`$2a$31$...`) and verifies correctly via `checkpw`, making the weakness invisible to the application. This issue is triggered only when cost=31 is used or when verifying a `$2a$31$` hash. This problem has been fixed in version 3.1.22. As a workaround, set the cost to something less than 31.

Affected products

VendorProductAffectedFixed
bcrypt-ruby bcrypt-ruby < 3.1.22 —

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.

ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Debian 14 ruby-bcrypt 3.1.22-1 —
Debian 13 ruby-bcrypt No fix yet —
Debian 12 ruby-bcrypt No fix yet —
ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS bcrypt No fix yet —
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS bcrypt No fix yet —

Affected packages

EcosystemPackageAffectedFixedRecord
RubyGems bcrypt < 3.1.22 3.1.22 GHSA-f27w-vcwj-c954

References