Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
SnakeYAML can run attacker-controlled code when an application parses untrusted YAML with the unsafe Constructor class. The main business risk is in Java services or products that accept YAML through uploads, APIs, configuration, or integrations. Prioritize systems where untrusted users can influence YAML input.
Executive priority
High priority for internet-facing or authenticated services that accept YAML input. Lower urgency for isolated internal use where YAML is fully trusted, but still track upgrades because affected libraries may be embedded in third-party products.
Technical view
CVE-2022-1471 is unsafe deserialization in SnakeYAML: Constructor() does not restrict which types can be instantiated during YAML parsing. CVSS is 8.3 high, with network attack vector, low complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality and integrity impact. Sources recommend SafeConstructor for untrusted YAML and upgrading to SnakeYAML 2.0 or later.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in applications or embedded products using SnakeYAML to parse attacker-provided YAML. Downstream vendor advisories show supply-chain relevance. The bundle does not prove every SnakeYAML deployment is exploitable; reachability of untrusted YAML parsing is the key condition.
Exploitation context
CVE-2022-1471 is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle. Public research and downstream advisories exist, but the bundle does not establish active exploitation in the wild. Avoid assuming exploitation without separate evidence.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on reachability, not just dependency presence. The CVE hinges on unsafe Constructor-based deserialization of attacker-controlled YAML. Sources name SafeConstructor and version 2.0+ as remediation direction; do not infer product-specific fixes beyond cited advisories.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade SnakeYAML to version 2.0 or later where supported.
- Use SafeConstructor when parsing untrusted YAML content.
- Identify downstream products that bundle SnakeYAML and follow vendor advisories.
- Restrict who can submit YAML until affected parsing paths are remediated.
- Check vendor guidance when a product cannot be directly upgraded.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Java applications and dependencies for SnakeYAML usage.
- Find code paths using Constructor() on untrusted YAML input.
- Confirm deployed dependency versions are SnakeYAML 2.0 or later.
- Review product vendor advisories for embedded SnakeYAML exposure.
- Add regression tests covering untrusted YAML parsing behavior.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-1471 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L2.85.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-mjmj-j48q-9wg2CVE reference
- https://bitbucket.org/snakeyaml/snakeyaml/issues/561/cve-2022-1471-vulnerability-in#comment-64581479CVE reference
- https://github.com/mbechler/marshalsecCVE reference
- https://www.github.com/mbechler/marshalsec/blob/master/marshalsec.pdf?raw=trueCVE reference
- https://groups.google.com/g/kubernetes-security-announce/c/mwrakFaEdncCVE reference
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230818-0015/CVE reference
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240621-0006/CVE reference
- https://infosecwriteups.com/%EF%B8%8F-inside-the-160-comment-fight-to-fix-snakeyamls-rce-default-1a20c5ca4d4cCVE reference
- https://confluence.atlassian.com/security/cve-2022-1471-snakeyaml-library-rce-vulnerability-in-multiple-products-1296171009.htmlCVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.