CVE-2013-4164

What it is

Heap-based buffer overflow in Ruby 1.8, 1.9 before 1.9.3-p484, 2.0 before 2.0.0-p353, 2.1 before 2.1.0 preview2, and trunk before revision 43780 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a string that is converted to a floating point value, as demonstrated using (1) the to_f method or (2) JSON.parse.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

35.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2013-11-23 19:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 23:56 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 35.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.8 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2013-11-23 19:55 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 23:56 UTC

Exploit probability

35.0% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-119 · Buffer errors

Record status

Modified

Affected

• ruby-lang Ruby 1.8
• ruby-lang Ruby 1.9
• ruby-lang Ruby 1.9.1
• ruby-lang Ruby 1.9.2
• ruby-lang Ruby 1.9.3
• ruby-lang Ruby 2.0.0
• ruby-lang Ruby 2.1

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 6.8

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Medium

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

Partial

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2013-4164.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2013-4164. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge