CVE-2008-3655

CVE-2008-3655 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ruby-lang Ruby with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 14% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 14% (96th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-264
• Affected product: Ruby-lang Ruby
• Published: 2008-08-13
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

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 properly restrict access to critical variables and methods at various safe levels, which allows context-dependent attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via (1) untrace_var, (2) $PROGRAM_NAME, and (3) syslog at safe level 4, and (4) insecure methods at safe levels 1 through 3.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3655?

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 properly restrict access to critical variables and methods at various safe levels, which allows context-dependent attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via (1) untrace_var, (2) $PROGRAM_NAME, and (3) syslog at safe level 4, and (4) insecure methods at safe levels 1 through 3.

How severe is CVE-2008-3655?

CVE-2008-3655 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-3655 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 14% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3655?

CVE-2008-3655 primarily affects Ruby-lang Ruby. In total, 47 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3655?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-3655 published?

CVE-2008-3655 was published on 2008-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=494401
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/May/msg00002.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/31430
• http://secunia.com/advisories/31697
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32165
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32219
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32255
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32256
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32371
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32372
• http://secunia.com/advisories/33178
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35074
• http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200812-17.xml
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3549
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-424.htm
• http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0264
• http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1651
• http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1652
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0895.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0897.html
• http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2008/08/08/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-ruby/
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495884/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30644
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020656
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-133A.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2334
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1297
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44369
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11602
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/651-1/

Affected products (47)

• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.6.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.1:-9:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.2:preview2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.2:preview3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.2:preview4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.3:preview1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.3:preview2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.3:preview3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.4:preview1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.4:preview2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.4:preview3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p11:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p113:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p115:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p12:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:p35:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:preview1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:preview2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:preview3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:preview4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.5:preview5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p110:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p111:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p114:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p230:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p286:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:p36:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:preview1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:preview2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:preview3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.7:p17:*:*:*:*:*:*

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