CVE-2013-0156
CVE-2013-0156 is a high-severity vulnerability in Rubyonrails Rails with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 99% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 99% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-20
- Affected product: Rubyonrails Rails
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
active_support/core_ext/hash/conversions.rb in Ruby on Rails before 2.3.15, 3.0.x before 3.0.19, 3.1.x before 3.1.10, and 3.2.x before 3.2.11 does not properly restrict casts of string values, which allows remote attackers to conduct object-injection attacks and execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial of service (memory and CPU consumption) involving nested XML entity references, by leveraging Action Pack support for (1) YAML type conversion or (2) Symbol type conversion.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2013-0156?
- active_support/core_ext/hash/conversions.rb in Ruby on Rails before 2.3.15, 3.0.x before 3.0.19, 3.1.x before 3.1.10, and 3.2.x before 3.2.11 does not properly restrict casts of string values, which allows remote attackers to conduct object-injection attacks and execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial of service (memory and CPU consumption) involving nested XML entity references, by leveraging Action Pack support for (1) YAML type conversion or (2) Symbol type conversion.
- How severe is CVE-2013-0156?
- CVE-2013-0156 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2013-0156 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 99% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2013-0156?
- CVE-2013-0156 primarily affects Rubyonrails Rails. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2013-0156?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2013-0156 published?
- CVE-2013-0156 was published on 2013-01-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-13-036-01A
- http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Mar/msg00002.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0153.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0154.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0155.html
- http://weblog.rubyonrails.org/2013/1/28/Rails-3-0-20-and-2-3-16-have-been-released/
- http://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2604
- http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/software/security/products-f/sw-sv-rcve-ror201301e.html
- http://www.insinuator.net/2013/01/rails-yaml/
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/380039
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/628463
- https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2013/01/09/serialization-mischief-in-ruby-land-cve-2013-0156
- https://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-security/msg/c1432d0f8c70e89d?dmode=source&output=gplain
- https://puppet.com/security/cve/cve-2013-0156
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:a:rubyonrails:rails:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:rubyonrails:ruby_on_rails:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Rubyonrails Rails
- CVE-2013-0277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ActiveRecord in Ruby on Rails before 2.3.17 and 3.x before 3.1.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service…
- CVE-2026-33195 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Active Storage allows users to attach cloud and local files in Rails applications. Prior to versions 8.1.2.1, 8.0.4.1,…
- CVE-2020-8165 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A deserialization of untrusted data vulnernerability exists in rails < 5.2.4.3, rails < 6.0.3.1 that can allow an…
- CVE-2019-5420 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A remote code execution vulnerability in development mode Rails <5.2.2.1, <6.0.0.beta3 can allow an attacker to guess…
- CVE-2026-33202 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): Active Storage allows users to attach cloud and local files in Rails applications. Prior to versions 8.1.2.1, 8.0.4.1,…
- CVE-2020-8163 — High (CVSS 8.8): The is a code injection vulnerability in versions of Rails prior to 5.0.1 that wouldallow an attacker who controlled…
All CVEs affecting Rubyonrails Rails →
Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
- CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
- CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
- CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
- CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
- CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…
Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →