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MEDIUM

GHSA-f27w-vcwj-c954

bcrypt-ruby has an Integer Overflow that Causes Zero Key-Strengthening Iterations at Cost=31 on JRuby

Quick fix

GHSA-f27w-vcwj-c954 — bcrypt: upgrade to the fixed version with the command below.

bundle update bcrypt

Details

### Impact

An integer overflow in the Java BCrypt implementation for JRuby can cause zero iterations in the strengthening loop. Impacted applications must be setting the cost to 31 to see this happen.

The JRuby implementation of bcrypt-ruby (`BCrypt.java`) computes the key-strengthening round count as a signed 32-bit integer. When `cost=31` (the maximum allowed by the gem), signed integer overflow causes the round count to become negative, and the strengthening loop executes **zero iterations**. This collapses bcrypt from 2^31 rounds of exponential key-strengthening to effectively constant-time computation — only the initial EksBlowfish key setup and final 64x encryption phase remain.

The resulting hash looks valid (`$2a$31$...`) and verifies correctly via `checkpw`, making the weakness invisible to the application. This issue is triggered only when cost=31 is used or when verifying a `$2a$31$` hash.

### Patches

This problem has been fixed in version 3.1.22

### Workarounds

Set the cost to something less than 31.

Are you affected?

Enter the version of the package you're using.

Affected packages

RubyGems/bcrypt
Introduced in: 0Fixed in: 3.1.22
Fixbundle update bcrypt

References