---
title: "CVE-2017-17790\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-17790?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2017-17790

Publication date 20 December 2017

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**9.8 · Critical**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-17790?format=md#impact-score)

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## 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.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ruby1.9.1 | 18.04 LTS bionic | Not in release |
| 17.10 artful | Not in release |
| 17.04 zesty | Not in release |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not in release |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 1.9.3.484-2ubuntu1.7 |
| ruby2.3 | 18.04 LTS bionic | Not in release |
| 17.10 artful | Fixed 2.3.3-1ubuntu1.2 |
| 17.04 zesty | Ignored end of life |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 2.3.1-2~16.04.5 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |
| ruby2.5 | 18.04 LTS bionic | Fixed 2.5.1-1 |
| 17.10 artful | Not in release |
| 17.04 zesty | Not in release |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not in release |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

9.8 · Critical

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 9.8 · Critical |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-17790)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-17790)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2017-17790)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-17790)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-3528-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3528-1)
+ Ruby vulnerabilities
+ 10 January 2018

### Other references

* <https://github.com/ruby/ruby/pull/1777>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-17790>