CVE-2009-1904

CVE-2009-1904 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ruby-lang Ruby with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-189.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 8% (94th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-189
• Affected product: Ruby-lang Ruby
• Published: 2009-06-11
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The BigDecimal library in Ruby 1.8.6 before p369 and 1.8.7 before p173 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a string argument that represents a large number, as demonstrated by an attempted conversion to the Float data type.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-1904?

The BigDecimal library in Ruby 1.8.6 before p369 and 1.8.7 before p173 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a string argument that represents a large number, as demonstrated by an attempted conversion to the Float data type.

How severe is CVE-2009-1904?

CVE-2009-1904 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2009-1904 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-1904?

CVE-2009-1904 primarily affects Ruby-lang Ruby. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1904?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2009-1904 published?

CVE-2009-1904 was published on 2009-06-11 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=532689
• http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=273213
• http://github.com/NZKoz/bigdecimal-segfault-fix/tree/master
• http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-security/msg/fad60751e2b9b4f6?dmode=source
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
• http://mail-index.netbsd.org/pkgsrc-changes/2009/06/10/msg024708.html
• http://osvdb.org/55031
• http://redmine.ruby-lang.org/issues/show/794
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35399
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35527
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35593
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35699
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35937
• http://secunia.com/advisories/37705
• http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200906-02.xml
• http://slackware.com/security/viewer.php?l=slackware-security&y=2009&m=slackware-security.430805
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
• http://weblog.rubyonrails.org/2009/6/10/dos-vulnerability-in-ruby/
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:160
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-1140.html
• http://www.ruby-forum.com/topic/189071
• http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2009/06/09/dos-vulnerability-in-bigdecimal/
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35278
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022371
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-805-1
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1563
• https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/385436
• https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/cve/2009-1904
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/51032
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9780

Affected products (2)

• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:1.8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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