CVE-2021-41817 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the Ruby date gem versions up to 3.2.0. This vulnerability allows a regular expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) through the Date.parse method when processing long strings. The potential impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to service disruptions in applications utilizing the affected versions of the date gem.
The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high severity level, stemming from its ability to be exploited over the network with low complexity and no privileges required. The availability impact is rated as high, meaning organizations are at risk of substantial downtime if exploited.
Since the vulnerability has been published, it has not been actively exploited as per available data. However, organizations using affected versions of the Ruby date gem should prioritize patching to mitigate any potential risks.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle immediately to prevent any operational disruptions.
The fixed versions include 3.2.1, 3.1.2, 3.0.2, and 2.0.1, and it is critical for users of the affected versions to upgrade as soon as possible.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that Date.parse in the date gem through version 3.2.0 for Ruby allows ReDoS via a long string. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333.
The CVSS v3.1 score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high level of severity. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity with no privileges or user interaction. The availability impact is rated high, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are negligible.
The affected products include the Ruby date gem and various Linux distributions, such as Debian, Red Hat, and Fedora.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of the Date.parse method within the Ruby date gem, which fails to effectively handle long strings. This flaw enables attackers to exploit the regular expression processing, leading to denial of service.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing exploitation without physical access to the system. The complexity of the attack is low, as it does not require any special privileges or user interaction. The impact on availability is significant, as affected systems may become unresponsive.
In terms of impact on confidentiality and integrity, the vulnerability does not compromise data security, but the availability of the affected service is at high risk.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime caused by successful exploitation of the vulnerability, which could cripple services utilizing the affected versions of the Ruby date gem. Given its high availability impact rating, the vulnerability poses a threat to operations, especially for web applications that rely on date parsing.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and consider the likelihood of attack, especially in environments where the Ruby date gem is utilized extensively. The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is high, and organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of the date gem include all versions up to 3.2.0, specifically excluding versions 3.2.1, 3.1.2, 3.0.2, and 2.0.1 that contain the fixes.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the fixed versions of the date gem: 3.2.1, 3.1.2, 3.0.2, or 2.0.1. If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider implementing network controls to limit access to services utilizing the vulnerable versions.
For organizations that may require additional support, consider engaging in penetration testing services to identify potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for any unusual patterns that could suggest abuse of the Date.parse method, especially with long strings. Behavioral anomalies in service response times may indicate an ongoing attack. Implementing network signatures to identify exploit attempts could also enhance security.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-41817 represents a critical reminder of the importance of validating input data in software components. Security teams should be vigilant about dependency management and regularly audit their libraries for vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability highlights the need for continuous monitoring and patch management practices to mitigate risks associated with third-party libraries. For comprehensive vulnerability management strategies, organizations can refer to our vulnerability management program.
Additionally, organizations should educate their development teams on secure coding practices to prevent future vulnerabilities from being introduced.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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