Paul gave a similar warning to the Gentiles in Colossae regarding the basic principles or elements of the world. Paul warns the Colossians against being taken captive through a deceitful philosophy that is according to the traditions of men and the demonic principalities behind them (Colossians 2:8). So, they too were in danger of becoming enslaved in a different way from their former bondage, but it was enslaving nonetheless because it was leading them away from Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:20-23).
In its broadest sense, leaven is a symbol of corruption. It includes sin, but it is not limited to sin because it also includes the ideas, philosophies, and approaches that lead to sin. This connects with what we saw in Galatians. The Galatians (and Colossians) were being influenced by philosophies and doctrines that would lead them into bondage. Leavening was corrupting them, and a new slavery would be the result if they didn’t return to Christ.