CVE-2015-7551

CVE-2015-7551 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ruby-lang Ruby with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. 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-20.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
• CVSS v2: 4.6
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (39th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-20
• Affected product: Ruby-lang Ruby
• Published: 2016-03-24
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Fiddle::Handle implementation in ext/fiddle/handle.c in Ruby before 2.0.0-p648, 2.1 before 2.1.8, and 2.2 before 2.2.4, as distributed in Apple OS X before 10.11.4 and other products, mishandles tainting, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted string, related to the DL module and the libffi library. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of a CVE-2009-5147 regression.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-7551?

The Fiddle::Handle implementation in ext/fiddle/handle.c in Ruby before 2.0.0-p648, 2.1 before 2.1.8, and 2.2 before 2.2.4, as distributed in Apple OS X before 10.11.4 and other products, mishandles tainting, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted string, related to the DL module and the libffi library. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of a CVE-2009-5147 regression.

How severe is CVE-2015-7551?

CVE-2015-7551 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2015-7551 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-7551?

CVE-2015-7551 primarily affects Ruby-lang Ruby. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-7551?

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-2015-7551 published?

CVE-2015-7551 was published on 2016-03-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=796344
• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=796551
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Mar/msg00004.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinapr2016-2952098.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76060
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0583
• https://github.com/ruby/ruby/commit/339e11a7f178312d937b7c95dd3115ce7236597a
• https://people.canonical.com/~ubuntu-security/cve/2015/CVE-2015-7551.html
• https://puppet.com/security/cve/ruby-dec-2015-security-fixes
• https://support.apple.com/HT206167
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2015/12/16/unsafe-tainted-string-usage-in-fiddle-and-dl-cve-2015-7551/

Affected products (14)

• cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.1.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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