CVE-2026-27820
CRITICALzlib is a Ruby interface for the zlib compression/decompression library. Versions 3.0.0 and below, 3.1.0, 3.1.1, 3.2.0 and 3.2.1 contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Zlib::GzipReader.…
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Description
zlib is a Ruby interface for the zlib compression/decompression library. Versions 3.0.0 and below, 3.1.0, 3.1.1, 3.2.0 and 3.2.1 contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Zlib::GzipReader. The zstream_buffer_ungets function prepends caller-provided bytes ahead of previously produced output but fails to guarantee the backing Ruby string has enough capacity before the memmove shifts the existing data. This can lead to memory corruption when the buffer length exceeds capacity. This issue has been fixed in versions 3.0.1, 3.1.2 and 3.2.3.
Affected Products
zlibruby-langDetection & mitigation playbook
Vendor / applianceDetect
Inventory every ruby-lang zlib deployment and check each version against the affected-products list above. Because the exploit targets the running system rather than your application code, also watch for remote code execution at the network and runtime layer — O3 flags the exploit behaviour from runtime telemetry and egress traffic even before a vulnerable build is confirmed.
Fix
Apply the ruby-lang zlib security patch or hotfix for CVE-2026-27820 on the affected version, following the vendor advisory for your exact build.
Workarounds
Cut exposure now: restrict the management/admin interface to trusted networks, segment the device, and apply the vendor's recommended configuration mitigations and any WAF/IPS signature. O3's runtime protection blocks the exploit chain at execution, holding the line on unpatched or end-of-life systems until you can patch.
How O3 protects you
O3 detects and blocks CVE-2026-27820 exploitation at runtime: eBPF exploit-chain detection, plus L7 egress monitoring that catches the post-exploitation callback and severs the attacker's outbound channel.
Tailored to CVE-2026-27820. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-27820 being exploited in your environment?
O3's eBPF runtime sensors and L7 egress monitoring detect and block the CVE-2026-27820 exploit chain at execution — protecting unpatched and end-of-life systems until the vendor patch is applied.