The openssl gem for Ruby uses the same initialization vector (IV) in GCM Mode (aes-*-gcm)…
Priority LOW 39CWE-326Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 5 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA, GitHub and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-326.
Summary
The openssl gem for Ruby uses the same initialization vector (IV) in GCM Mode (aes-*-gcm) when the IV is set before the key, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to bypass the encryption protection mechanism.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.03167 88th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Partial openssl (RubyGems): 2.0.0Red Hat: 5 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| — | openssl (RubyGems) | before 2.0.0 | 2.0.0 | Patch available | GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- openssl (RubyGems) Vendor— Affected before 2.0.0 Fixed in 2.0.0 Patch available GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m openssl (RubyGems) Fixed in 2.0.0 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| CloudForms Management Engine 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Software Collections | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2016-7798
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m
References
Patch 2
Advisory 6
- DSA-3966
- [oss-security] 20160930 Re: CVE Request - Ruby OpenSSL Library - IV Reuse in GCM Mode
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180714 [SECURITY] [DLA 1421-1] ruby2.1 security update
- [oss-security] 20160919 CVE Request - Ruby OpenSSL Library - IV Reuse in GCM Mode
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7798
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m
Sources
- CVE-2016-7798 · CVE Program
- CVE-2016-7798 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-6h88-qjpv-p32m · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2016-7798 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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