Action Pack: Possible arbitrary file read and remote code execution in Active Storage variant processing
Not confirmed exploited. 2 of 8 rule sources name it; Cloudflare blocks by default.
Action Pack is a framework for handling and responding to web requests. In versions prior to 7.2.3.2, 8.0.5.1 and 8.1.3.1, Active Storage does not disable libvips operations marked unsafe for untrusted content, allowing a crafted upload to… More
Action Pack is a framework for handling and responding to web requests. In versions prior to 7.2.3.2, 8.0.5.1 and 8.1.3.1, Active Storage does not disable libvips operations marked unsafe for untrusted content, allowing a crafted upload to invoke such an operation. Consuming applications are affected when configured to use libvips and accept image uploads from untrusted users. An unauthenticated attacker may exploit this behavior to read arbitrary files accessible to the Rails process, including environment variables and application secrets. Exposure of credentials such as secret_key_base or external-service tokens may enable remote code execution or lateral movement. This issue has been fixed in versions 7.2.3.2, 8.0.5.1 and 8.1.3.1.
Edge coverage
Claimed by vendorsAsk Vigil
AI · answers from this pageWorkers AI (Llama 3.3). Can be wrong: check the cited source.
Severity, decoded
CVSS 4.0Exploitable over the network under specific conditions, with no privileges and no user interaction, leading to full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability; other systems can also be hit (full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability).
How the score is built
- Attack vectorAn attacker can reach it over the internet; no access to your network needed.Network
- Attack complexityNo built-in defences have to be bypassed; the attack works reliably.Low
- Attack requirementsThe attack only works under specific conditions, such as a race or a particular setup.Present
- Privileges requiredNo account or login is needed.None
- User interactionNo one has to click or open anything; the attack works on its own.None
- Confidentiality impact (vulnerable system)An attacker can read all data the affected component holds, or the most sensitive parts of it.High
- Integrity impact (vulnerable system)An attacker can change any data or files the affected component protects.High
- Availability impact (vulnerable system)An attacker can take the component down completely or keep it from serving anyone.High
- Confidentiality impact (other systems)Other systems that rely on it can have all their data read.High
- Integrity impact (other systems)Other systems that rely on it can have any data changed.High
- Availability impact (other systems)Other systems that rely on it can be taken down.High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:HPublic exploit code or a detailed write-up exists, but CISA has not seen attacks.
Attackers can script the attack end to end and hit many targets at once.
A successful attack gives full control over the affected software or all of its data.
Public exploits
1 found- MetasploitRuby on Rails Active Storage Vips Arbitrary File Read and Remote Code Execution2026-07-29 · exploit · rank Normal · has check
Links are to third-party code: never run it outside an isolated lab.
Timeline
- 2026-07-29Metasploit module publishedRuby on Rails Active Storage Vips Arbitrary File Read and Remote Code Execution
- 2026-07-30CVE publishedCVE List
- 2026-08-04Cloudflare rule names itEarliest entry we can see is an update
- 2026-09-16F5 ships a ruleRuby on Rails "Active Storage" Arbitrary File Read
Vendor statements
QuotedCloudflareWAF Managed Rules
Named by 2026-08-04; the first entry is an update, so the rule may be older.
Rails - Arbitrary File Read & RCE - CVE:CVE-2026-66066. Previous action: Block. New action: Block. This was labeled as File Upload - RCE.
AWSAWS WAF Managed Rules
We found no public statement from this vendor naming this CVE. That is not proof of no protection: generic rules may still catch it. AWS often describes a vulnerability without naming its CVE (for example "Log4j"). We count only entries that name the CVE, so AWS coverage is understated.
Microsoft AzureFront Door and Application Gateway WAF (DRS)
We found no public statement from this vendor naming this CVE. That is not proof of no protection: generic rules may still catch it. The rule tables name CVEs but carry no dates, so Azure is left out of every time-to-rule figure.
Google CloudCloud Armor preconfigured WAF rules
We found no public statement from this vendor naming this CVE. That is not proof of no protection: generic rules may still catch it. Google names few CVEs: the release notes start in May 2024 and the rules reference lists CVEs without dates. Its cve-canary rules are opt-in.
FastlyNext-Gen WAF virtual patches
The CVE predates the oldest entry in this vendor's public feed, so a rule may exist that we cannot see.
F5Attack signatures (Distributed Cloud WAF)
First rule 2026-09-16, 48 days after the CVE was published.
Added: signature 200009375 "Ruby on Rails "Active Storage" Arbitrary File Read" (Information Leakage, risk Medium), systems: Ruby. References: CVE-2026-66066.
AkamaiApp & API Protector (Adaptive Security Engine)
This vendor publishes no machine-readable rule changelog we can check.
OWASP CRSCore Rule Set (open source, used inside many WAFs)
We found no public statement from this vendor naming this CVE. That is not proof of no protection: generic rules may still catch it. CRS rarely names CVEs: it relies on generic detections. Our own lab measures what it actually blocks.
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