CVE-2022-32224 in activerecord Gem
Summary
by MITRE • 12/06/2022
A possible escalation to RCE vulnerability exists when using YAML serialized columns in Active Record < 7.0.3.1,
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Ruby on Rails framework's Active Record component that enables potential remote code execution through improper handling of YAML serialized data. The issue specifically affects versions prior to 7.0.3.1 where YAML deserialization occurs within database columns, creating a path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code that gets executed during the deserialization process. The vulnerability stems from the framework's inability to properly sanitize or validate YAML content when it is stored in serialized columns and subsequently retrieved for processing.
The technical flaw manifests when applications utilize YAML serialization for storing complex data structures within database columns. Active Record's serialization mechanism automatically converts ruby objects into YAML format for storage and back into ruby objects upon retrieval. However, the deserialization process lacks proper input validation and sanitization, allowing attackers to craft malicious YAML payloads that contain ruby code execution instructions. When the framework processes these serialized columns, the YAML parser executes the embedded ruby code, resulting in arbitrary code execution on the server. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502 which describes deserialization of untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to achieve full system compromise without requiring authentication or privileged access. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the application server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system takeover, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects applications that store user-controllable data in YAML serialized columns, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is commonly stored in database fields. The exploitability is enhanced when applications have write access to database columns or when user input is not properly sanitized before being stored.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates to version 7.0.3.1 or later where the deserialization process has been properly hardened. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization for all data stored in serialized columns, particularly those that may contain user-provided content. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls for database columns, using alternative serialization formats that are less prone to code injection, and conducting regular security audits of serialized data handling. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious database access patterns and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping framework components updated and following secure coding practices when handling serialized data in web applications.