CVE-2018-6914

CVE-2018-6914 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ruby-lang Ruby with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 10% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
• CVSS v2: 5.0
• EPSS exploit prediction: 10% (96th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-22
• Affected product: Ruby-lang Ruby
• Published: 2018-04-03
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the Dir.mktmpdir method in the tmpdir library in Ruby before 2.2.10, 2.3.x before 2.3.7, 2.4.x before 2.4.4, 2.5.x before 2.5.1, and 2.6.0-preview1 might allow attackers to create arbitrary directories or files via a .. (dot dot) in the prefix argument.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-6914?

Directory traversal vulnerability in the Dir.mktmpdir method in the tmpdir library in Ruby before 2.2.10, 2.3.x before 2.3.7, 2.4.x before 2.4.4, 2.5.x before 2.5.1, and 2.6.0-preview1 might allow attackers to create arbitrary directories or files via a .. (dot dot) in the prefix argument.

How severe is CVE-2018-6914?

CVE-2018-6914 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-6914 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 10% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-6914?

CVE-2018-6914 primarily affects Ruby-lang Ruby. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-6914?

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-2018-6914 published?

CVE-2018-6914 was published on 2018-04-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00036.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103686
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1042004
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3729
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3730
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3731
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2028
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/04/msg00023.html
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/04/msg00024.html
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.html
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/3626-1/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4259
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/03/28/ruby-2-2-10-released/
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/03/28/ruby-2-3-7-released/
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/03/28/ruby-2-4-4-released/
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/03/28/ruby-2-5-1-released/
• https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2018/03/28/unintentional-file-and-directory-creation-with-directory-traversal-cve-2018-6914/

Affected products (13)

• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ruby-lang:ruby:2.6.0:preview1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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