# CVE-2008-3657: Security feature bypass in n/a

> The Ruby DL module fails to check input taintness, allowing attackers to bypass safe levels and execute dangerous functions via DL.dlopen.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Not stated
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Aug 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-5f6v-fgcw-j5px

## What is CVE-2008-3657?

CVE-2008-3657 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ruby-Lang Ruby, published on 13 Aug 2008. 

### Official description

The dl module in Ruby 1.8.5 and earlier, 1.8.6 through 1.8.6-p286, 1.8.7 through 1.8.7-p71, and 1.9 through r18423 does not check "taintness" of inputs, which allows context-dependent attackers to bypass safe levels and execute dangerous functions by accessing a library using DL.dlopen.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-3657?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Ruby-Lang Ruby.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-3657?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-3657 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-3657 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Ruby 1.9 dl - Module DL.dlopen Arbitrary Library Access (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Ruby-Lang Ruby

- [CVE-2009-4124](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-4124/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2022-28738](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-28738/): Use after free in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2011-4121](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-4121/): Weak cryptography in OpenSSL extension of Ruby (Git trunk) (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17790](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17790/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-11465](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-11465/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-3657 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-3657 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ruby-Lang Ruby, published on 13 Aug 2008. 
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-3657 exists.

Affected product: Ruby-Lang Ruby. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3657/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3657/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3657
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3657
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-3657

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3657/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.