CVE-2022-23518: rails-html-sanitizer is responsible for sanitizing HTML fragments in Rails applications

This month

MEDIUM 6.1WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEUPGRADE

CVE-2022-23518 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) affecting rails html sanitizers, debian linux, loofah. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rails-html-sanitizer is responsible for sanitizing HTML fragments in Rails applications. Versions >= 1.0.3, < 1.4.4 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting via data URIs when used in combination with Loofah >= 2.1.0. This issue is patched in version 1.4.4.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.1 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2022-12-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: debian · loofah project · rubyonrails

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-12-14 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rubyonrails rails html sanitizers UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.0.3 and < 1.4.4

Fixed in: 1.4.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rails-html-sanitizers || rpm -q rails-html-sanitizers || rails-html-sanitizers --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rails-html-sanitizers

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rails-html-sanitizers

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rails-html-sanitizers sudo apt install rails-html-sanitizers=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3> sudo apt-mark hold rails-html-sanitizers

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rails-html-sanitizers sudo dnf downgrade rails-html-sanitizers-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add rails-html-sanitizers

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

loofah project loofah UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.1.0 and < 2.19.1

Fixed in: 2.19.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy loofah || rpm -q loofah || loofah --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.19.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade loofah

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade loofah

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison loofah sudo apt install loofah=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1.0> sudo apt-mark hold loofah

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list loofah sudo dnf downgrade loofah-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add loofah

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-23518?

rails html sanitizers: upgrade to 1.4.4; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; loofah: upgrade to 2.19.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-23518 being exploited?

CVE-2022-23518 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-23518 affect?

CVE-2022-23518 affects rails html sanitizers, debian linux, loofah. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). rails-html-sanitizer is responsible for sanitizing HTML fragments in Rails applications. Versions >= 1.0.3, < 1.4.4 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting via data URIs when used in combination with Loofah >= 2.1.0. This issue is patched in

How urgent is CVE-2022-23518?

Priority 46/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ruby on Rails vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2024-53986 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE rails-html-sanitizer is responsible for sanitizing HTML fragments in Rails applications
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References

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