# CVE-2017-17790: Command injection in n/a

> Command injection in Ruby's resolv library allows code execution via malicious hostnames, though untrusted input scenarios are unlikely.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Dec 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-47cm-jxff-w8wg, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-17790

## What is CVE-2017-17790?

CVE-2017-17790 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Ruby-Lang Ruby, published on 20 Dec 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The lazy_initialize function in lib/resolv.rb in Ruby through 2.4.3 uses Kernel#open, which might allow Command Injection attacks, as demonstrated by a Resolv::Hosts::new argument beginning with a '|' character, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-17405. NOTE: situations with untrusted input may be highly unlikely.

Weakness: CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-17790?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Ruby-Lang Ruby.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-17790?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2017-17790 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-17790 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## 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-2017-11465](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-11465/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-2336](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-2336/): Memory corruption in Ruby (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-17790 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-17790 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Ruby-Lang Ruby, published on 20 Dec 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-17790 in the wild and no public exploit code.

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-2017-17790/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17790/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-17790
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-17790
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-17790

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17790/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.