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CVE Record

CVE-2017-7540: rubygem-safemode, as used in Foreman, versions 1.3.2 and earlier are vulnerable to bypassing safe mode limi...

rubygem-safemode, as used in Foreman, versions 1.3.2 and earlier are vulnerable to bypassing safe mode limitations via special Ruby syntax. This can lead to deletion of objects for which the user does not have delete permissions or possibly to privilege escalation.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2017-7540 is a safe-mode bypass in rubygem-safemode, used by Foreman. A user may use special Ruby syntax to escape intended restrictions, potentially deleting objects without delete permission or escalating privileges. The public record does not provide CVSS scoring or confirmed exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted application-risk issue, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize remediation for Foreman environments where non-admin users can interact with safemode-protected Ruby logic or manage sensitive objects.

Technical view

rubygem-safemode 1.3.2 and earlier improperly restricts Ruby syntax, classified as CWE-184. In affected Foreman usage, crafted syntax can bypass safe mode limits and reach unauthorized object deletion or possible privilege escalation. Available sources do not define exact attack prerequisites, fixed versions, or exploit maturity.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Foreman or related Ruby applications depend on rubygem-safemode 1.3.2 or earlier and allow users to influence code evaluated under safemode controls.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the supplied sources do not report active exploitation. The described abuse depends on special Ruby syntax bypassing safemode limits, but public evidence here is too thin to assess real-world exploitability.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, affected Foreman version ranges, exact fixed release, and exploit details. Analysis should stay bounded to rubygem-safemode 1.3.2 and earlier as used in Foreman, with CWE-184 as the root weakness indicator.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory Foreman and Ruby applications for rubygem-safemode 1.3.2 or earlier.
  • Check Foreman, Red Hat, and safemode project guidance for supported fixed packages.
  • Upgrade affected components through supported vendor or package-manager channels.
  • Restrict safemode-evaluated input to trusted users until remediation is confirmed.
  • Review object deletion and privilege-change logs for suspicious activity.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm deployed rubygem-safemode versions are later than 1.3.2 or vendor-fixed.
  • Verify Foreman package versions against vendor advisories or release notes.
  • Review dependency manifests and lockfiles for transitive safemode usage.
  • Confirm permission checks still block unauthorized deletion in application tests.
  • Document any remaining vulnerable instances and compensating access restrictions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-184: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2017-7540 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Red Hat, Inc.rubygem-safemode1.3.2 and earlierListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-184

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-184 · source CWE mapping

Incomplete List of Disallowed Inputs

Incomplete List of Disallowed Inputs represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs