CVE-2024-27285 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in yard (rubygems), affecting versions < 0.9.36. It is fixed in 0.9.36.
Summary The "frames.html" file within the Yard Doc's generated documentation is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to inadequate sanitization of user input within the JavaScript segment of the "frames.erb" template file. Details The vulnerability stems from mishandling user-controlled data retrieved from the URL hash in the embedded JavaScript code within the "frames.erb" template file. Specifically, the script lacks proper sanitization of the hash data before utilizing it to establish the top-level window's location. This oversight permits an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript payloads through carefully crafted URLs. Snippet from "frames.erb": (v0.9.34) (v0.9.35) PoC (Proof of Concept) To exploit this vulnerability: Gain access to the generated Yard Doc. Locate and access the "frames.html" file. Construct a URL containing the malicious payload in the hash segment, for instance: #!javascript:xss for v0.9.34, and #:javascript:xss for v0.9.35 Impact This XSS vulnerability presents a substantial threat by enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the user's session context. Potential ramifications include session hijacking, theft of sensitive data, unauthorized access to user accounts, and defacement of websites. Any user visiting the compromised page is susceptible to exploitation. It is critical to promptly address this vulnerability to mitigate potential harm to users and preserve the application's integrity.
Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session. Typical impact: session or credential theft, and actions taken as the user.
CVE-2024-27285 has a CVSS score of 5.4 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment.
A fixed version is available (0.9.36). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
rubygems
yard (< 0.9.36)yard → 0.9.36 (rubygems)Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter instead of chasing every advisory.
Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether CVE-2024-27285 is reachable in your applications. Explore open-source security for your team.
See if CVE-2024-27285 is reachable in your applications. Get a demo
Already deployed Kodem? See CVE-2024-27285 in your environment →Upgrade yard to 0.9.36 or later to resolve this vulnerability.
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
CVE-2024-27285 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in yard (rubygems), affecting versions < 0.9.36. It is fixed in 0.9.36. Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session.
CVE-2024-27285 has a CVSS score of 5.4 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
yard (rubygems) versions < 0.9.36 is affected.
Yes. CVE-2024-27285 is fixed in 0.9.36. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2024-27285 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
Upgrade yard to 0.9.36 or later.