CVE-2026-33173
What it is
Active Storage allows users to attach cloud and local files in Rails applications. Prior to versions 8.1.2.1, 8.0.4.1, and 7.2.3.1, `DirectUploadsController` accepts arbitrary metadata from the client and persists it on the blob. Because internal flags like `identified` and `analyzed` are stored in the same metadata hash, a direct-upload client can set these flags to skip MIME detection and analysis. This allows an attacker to upload arbitrary content while claiming a safe `content_type`, bypassing any validations that rely on Active Storage's automatic content type identification. Versions 8.1.2.1, 8.0.4.1, and 7.2.3.1 contain a patch.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.
- Exploit odds
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 5.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-925
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Rubyonrails Rails < 7.2.3.1
- Rubyonrails Rails < 8.0.4.1
- Rubyonrails Rails < 8.1.2.1
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 5.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-33173.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-33173. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/707c0f1f41f067fdf96d54e99d43b28dfaae7e53
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/8fcb934caadc79c8cc4ce53287046d0f67005b3e
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/d9502f5214e2198245a4c1defe9cd02a7c8057d0
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v7.2.3.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v8.0.4.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v8.1.2.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/security/advisories/GHSA-qcfx-2mfw-w4cg
References
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/707c0f1f41f067fdf96d54e99d43b28dfaae7e53
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/8fcb934caadc79c8cc4ce53287046d0f67005b3e
- https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/d9502f5214e2198245a4c1defe9cd02a7c8057d0
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v7.2.3.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v8.0.4.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/releases/tag/v8.1.2.1
- https://github.com/rails/rails/security/advisories/GHSA-qcfx-2mfw-w4cg