CVE-2022-1471 in Communications Service Catalog and Design
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2022
SnakeYaml's Constructor() class does not restrict types which can be instantiated during deserialization. Deserializing yaml content provided by an attacker can lead to remote code execution. We recommend using SnakeYaml's SafeConsturctor when parsing untrusted content to restrict deserialization. We recommend upgrading to version 2.0 and beyond.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1471 affects SnakeYaml, a popular java library for parsing and generating yaml content. This issue stems from the Constructor class implementation which fails to properly restrict the types that can be instantiated during the deserialization process. The flaw represents a critical security risk that can be exploited by attackers who provide malicious yaml content for processing. When an application uses the default Constructor class to parse untrusted yaml data, it becomes vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because yaml parsing is commonly used in configuration files, data exchange formats, and application settings where untrusted input might be processed. Attackers can craft specially designed yaml payloads that, when deserialized, trigger the instantiation of malicious classes that can execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of type restriction within SnakeYaml's deserialization mechanism. During the deserialization process, the Constructor class attempts to instantiate objects based on the yaml content structure without validating whether the target types are safe or allowed. This behavior aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a common weakness that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the yaml deserialization process to load and execute malicious classes from remote locations or local files. The attack surface is broad since yaml parsing is used in numerous applications, from web services to desktop applications, making this a widespread concern across different software ecosystems.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1471 is severe and can result in complete system compromise when exploited. An attacker who can inject malicious yaml content into an application using SnakeYaml's default Constructor can execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the running application. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web applications that accept yaml input, configuration management systems, and any software that processes untrusted yaml data. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that yaml is commonly used in development and deployment workflows, making it a frequent target for attackers. Organizations using affected versions of SnakeYaml are at risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also affects the integrity and availability of applications that rely on yaml parsing for legitimate operations.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1471 involve both immediate and long-term solutions. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to SnakeYaml version 2.0 or later, which includes fixes for the deserialization vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement the SafeConstructor class when processing untrusted yaml content, as this provides built-in restrictions on type instantiation. The SafeConstructor approach follows ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software libraries to achieve remote code execution. Security teams should also consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures for any yaml content that is processed by applications. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all applications using affected versions of SnakeYaml and ensure proper patching and configuration updates are implemented across their infrastructure. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of successful attacks.