Code execution via unsafe YAML object loading
Published Dec 5, 2022 · Updated May 11, 2026
Unsafe YAML deserialization in Ruby on Rails Active Record allows attackers with database write access to execute arbitrary code. ActiveRecord::Coders::YAMLColumn passes serialized column payloads to YAML.unsafe_load, permitting arbitrary Ruby object construction. Exploitation requires YAML-serialized model columns and crafted database content, such as content written through SQL injection; JSON-backed columns are not affected.
Summary
What happened
Unsafe YAML deserialization in Ruby on Rails Active Record allows attackers with database write access to execute arbitrary code. ActiveRecord::Coders::YAMLColumn passes serialized column payloads to YAML.unsafe_load, permitting arbitrary Ruby object construction. Exploitation requires YAML-serialized model columns and crafted database content, such as content written through SQL injection; JSON-backed columns are not affected.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-32224
- Published
- Dec 5, 2022
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- Ruby on Rails
- Product
- Active Record
- Classifications
- CWE-502, T1068
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 5, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=7.0.3.1, 6.1.6.1, 6.0.5.1, 5.2.8.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Rails Active Record serialized-column behavior demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo