CVE-2017-17790 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2017-17790 was published on December 20, 2017, and affects Ruby up to version 2.4.3. The vulnerability lies in the lazy_initialize function in lib/resolv.rb, potentially leading to Command Injection attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-17790

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Ruby that could be exploited to execute Command Injection attacks.

What is CVE-2017-17790?

The lazy_initialize function in lib/resolv.rb in Ruby up to version 2.4.3 uses Kernel#open, which could allow attackers to perform Command Injection by providing a specific argument.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17790

This vulnerability could be exploited by providing a Resolv::Hosts::new argument starting with a '|' character, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17790

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The lazy_initialize function in lib/resolv.rb in Ruby through 2.4.3 uses Kernel#open, potentially allowing Command Injection attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Ruby
Affected Version: Up to 2.4.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing a specific argument that starts with a '|' character, enabling Command Injection.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-17790 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ruby to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Avoid providing untrusted input to functions that could be exploited.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent Command Injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Ruby are updated to versions that have patched the CVE-2017-17790 vulnerability.