Path Traversal
Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.
How It Works
Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation. Attackers inject special sequences like ../ (dot-dot-slash) to escape the intended directory and navigate to arbitrary locations in the file system. Each ../ sequence moves up one directory level, allowing an attacker to break out of a restricted folder and access sensitive files elsewhere on the server.
Attackers employ various encoding techniques to bypass basic filters. Simple URL encoding transforms ../ into %2e%2e%2f, while double encoding becomes %252e%252e%252f (encoding the percent sign itself). Other evasion methods include nested sequences like ....// (which become ../ after filter removal), null byte injection (%00 to truncate path validation), and OS-specific path separators (backslashes on Windows). Absolute paths like /etc/passwd may also work if the application doesn't enforce relative path constraints.
The typical attack flow begins with identifying input parameters that reference files—such as file=, path=, template=, or page=. The attacker then tests various traversal payloads to determine if path validation exists and what depth is needed to reach system files. Success means reading configuration files, credentials, source code, or even writing malicious files if the application allows file uploads or modifications.
Impact
- Credential exposure: Access to configuration files containing database passwords, API keys, and authentication tokens
- Source code disclosure: Reading application code reveals business logic, additional vulnerabilities, and hardcoded secrets
- System file access: Retrieving
/etc/passwd,/etc/shadow, or Windows SAM files for credential cracking - Configuration tampering: If write access exists, attackers modify settings or inject malicious code
- Remote code execution: Writing web shells or executable files to web-accessible directories enables full system compromise
Real-World Examples
ZendTo file sharing application (CVE-2025-34508) contained a path traversal vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from the server. The flaw existed in file retrieval functionality where user input directly influenced file path construction without adequate validation, exposing sensitive configuration data and potentially system files.
Web application frameworks frequently suffer from path traversal in template rendering engines. When applications allow users to specify template names or include files, insufficient validation permits attackers to read source code from other application modules or framework configuration files, revealing database credentials and session secrets.
File download features in content management systems represent another common vector. Applications that serve user-requested files from disk often fail to restrict paths properly, enabling attackers to download backup files, logs containing sensitive data, or administrative scripts that weren't intended for public access.
Mitigation
- Avoid user input in file paths: Use indirect references like database IDs mapped to filenames on the server side
- Canonicalize and validate: Convert paths to absolute canonical form, then verify they remain within the allowed base directory
- Allowlist permitted files: Maintain an explicit list of accessible files rather than trying to blocklist malicious patterns
- Chroot jails or sandboxing: Restrict application file system access to specific directories at the OS level
- Strip dangerous sequences: Remove
../,..\\, and encoded variants, though this alone is insufficient
Recent CVEs (8648)
Gradio is an open-source Python package designed to enable quick builds of a demo or web application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to upload files to arbitrary locations on the underlying operating system of an affected device. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An authenticated Path Traversal vulnerability exists in Instant AOS-8 and AOS-10. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The cap-std project is organized around the eponymous `cap-std` crate, and develops libraries to make it easy to write capability-based code. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In 2N Access Commander versions 3.1.1.2 and prior, a Path Traversal vulnerability could allow an attacker with administrative privileges to write files on the filesystem and potentially achieve. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in the createTempFile method of hornetq v2.4.9 allows attackers to arbitrarily overwrite files or access sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Path Traversal: '.../...//' vulnerability in ThimPress WP Hotel Booking wp-hotel-booking allows PHP Local File Inclusion.2.9. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
There exists a Path Traversal vulnerability in Safearchive on Platforms with Case-Insensitive Filesystems (e.g., NTFS). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
changedetection.io is free, open source web page change detection software. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
`oak` is a middleware framework for Deno's native HTTP server, Deno Deploy, Node.js 16.5 and later, Cloudflare Workers and Bun. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Automattic Newspack Blocks allows Path Traversal.0.8. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in WishList Products WishList Member X allows Path Traversal.26.6. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Ollama before 0.1.46. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Webswing 23.2.2 allows remote attackers to modify client-side JavaScript code to achieve path traversal, likely leading to remote code execution via modification of shell scripts on the server. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was identified in Consul and Consul Enterprise (“Consul”) such that using URL paths in L7 traffic intentions could bypass HTTP request path-based access rules. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal in /SASStudio/sasexec/sessions/{sessionID}/workspace/{InternalPath} in SAS Studio 9.4 allows remote attacker to access internal files by manipulating default path during file. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A file disclosure vulnerability exists in Sage 1000 v7.0.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Chetan Khandla Woocommerce Product Design woo-product-design allows Path Traversal.0.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 28.6% and no vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Chetan Khandla Woocommerce Product Design woo-product-design allows Path Traversal.0.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 26.3% and no vendor patch available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the `getFullPath` method of langchain-ai/langchainjs version 0.2.5. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the latest version of gaizhenbiao/chuanhuchatgpt. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Mattermost versions 9.10.x <= 9.10.2, 9.11.x <= 9.11.1, 9.5.x <= 9.5.9 fail to sanitize user inputs in the frontend that are used for redirection which allows for a one-click client-side path. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A path handling issue was addressed with improved logic. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in webangon The Pack Elementor addons the-pack-addon allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.9. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
MPXJ is an open source library to read and write project plans from a variety of file formats and databases. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Funadmin v5.0.2 has an arbitrary file read vulnerability in /curd/index/editfile. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Werkzeug is a Web Server Gateway Interface web application library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Path Traversal vulnerability could allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path.
An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in MangoOS before 5.1.4 and Mango API before 4.5.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in ESAFENET CDG 5. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In sm_mem_compat_get_vmm_obj of lib/sm/shared_mem.c, there is a possible arbitrary physical memory access due to improper input validation. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sharp and Toshiba Tec MFPs improperly process URI data in HTTP PUT requests resulting in a path Traversal vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The BuddyPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 14.1.0 via the id parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenRefine is a free, open source tool for working with messy data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Path Traversal vulnerability could allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path.
ZimaOS is a fork of CasaOS, an operating system for Zima devices and x86-64 systems with UEFI. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
ZimaOS is a fork of CasaOS, an operating system for Zima devices and x86-64 systems with UEFI. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The OpenRefine fork of the MIT Simile Butterfly server is a modular web application framework. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An issue was discovered on certain GL-iNet devices, including MT6000, MT3000, MT2500, AXT1800, and AX1800 4.6.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
iniNet Solutions SpiderControl SCADA PC HMI Editor has a path traversal vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The web server of Lawo AG vsm LTC Time Sync (vTimeSync) is affected by a "..." (triple dot) path traversal vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
RockOA v2.6.5 is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in webmain/system/beifen/beifenAction.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
AshPostgres is the PostgreSQL data layer for Ash Framework. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kieback & Peter's DDC4000 series is vulnerable to a path traversal vulnerability, which may allow an unauthenticated attacker to read files on the system. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A post-authentication arbitrary file read vulnerability within the server plugins section in plugin edition feature.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Directory Traversal vulnerability in the Boa webserver of Vilo 5 Mesh WiFi System <= 5.16.1.33 allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to enumerate the existence and length of any file in the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: firmware_loader: Block path traversal Most firmware names are hardcoded strings, or are constructed from fairly constrained format. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Administrative Management System from Wellchoose has a Path Traversal vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit this vulnerability to download arbitrary files on the server. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Jeroen Berkvens SSV Events ssv-events allows PHP Local File Inclusion.2.7. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in wfh45678 Radar up to 1.0.8 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in binary-husky/gpt_academic version 3.83. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in mh6webentwicklung PDF-Rechnungsverwaltung pdf-rechnungsverwaltung allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Jeroen Berkvens SSV MailChimp ssv-mailchimp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.1.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in CodeFlock FREE DOWNLOAD MANAGER free-download-manager allows Path Traversal.0.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in the component /index.php?page=backup/export of REDAXO CMS v5.17.1 allows attackers to execute a directory traversal. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Path Traversal: '.../...//' vulnerability in Limbcode WordPress Gallery Plugin - Limb Image Gallery limb-gallery.5.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in JamesPark.ninja Analyse Uploads analyse-uploads allows Relative Path Traversal.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in nahimsalami Ahime Image Printer ahime-image-printer.0.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Danish Ali Malik Top Bar - PopUps - by WPOptin wpoptin allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in LiteSpeed Technologies LiteSpeed Cache litespeed-cache allows Path Traversal.4.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in The CSSIgniter Team MaxSlider maxslider allows Path Traversal.2.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
SolarWinds Serv-U is vulnerable to a directory traversal vulnerability where remote code execution is possible depending on privileges given to the authenticated user. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A denial of service vulnerability in A vulnerability (CVSS 6.5). Remediation should follow standard vulnerability management procedures.
SHIRASAGI prior to v1.19.1 processes URLs in HTTP requests improperly, resulting in a path traversal vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
NVIDIA NeMo contains a vulnerability in SaveRestoreConnector where a user may cause a path traversal issue via an unsafe .tar file extraction. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WordPress File Upload plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 4.24.11 via wfu_file_downloader.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A directory listing issue in the baserCMS plugin in D-ZERO CO., LTD. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Extract is aA Go library to extract archives in zip, tar.gz or tar.bz2 formats. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Path Traversal vulnerability could allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the api open_personality_folder endpoint of parisneo/lollms-webui. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The WordPress Comments Import & Export plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to to arbitrary file read due to insufficient file path validation during the comments import process, in versions up to, and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the parisneo/lollms-webui repository, specifically in the `lollms_file_system.py` file. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Gradio is an open-source Python package designed for quick prototyping. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Gradio is an open-source Python package designed for quick prototyping. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In version v0.3.8 of open-webui/open-webui, the endpoint /api/pipelines/upload is vulnerable to arbitrary file write and delete due to unsanitized file.filename concatenation with CACHE_DIR. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Local File Inclusion vulnerability in pretix Widget WordPress plugin pretix-widget on Windows allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.0 through 1.0.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
pam_oath.so in oath-toolkit 2.6.7 through 2.6.11 before 2.6.12 allows root privilege escalation because, in the context of PAM code running as root, it mishandles usersfile access, such as by calling. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An arbitrary file read vulnerability in Adguard Home before v0.107.52 allows authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files as root on the underlying Operating System via placing a crafted file. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Relative path traversal in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Path traversal in Ivanti CSA before version 5.0.2 allows a remote authenticated attacker with admin privileges to bypass restrictions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Path Traversal in Ivanti Avalanche before version 6.4.5 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to leak sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Path Traversal in Ivanti Avalanche before version 6.4.5 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Path Traversal in Ivanti Avalanche before version 6.4.5 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.07.3 path traversal allowed backup file write to arbitrary location. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.07.3 path traversal leading to information disclosure was possible via server backups. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC Security Monitor (All versions < V4.9.0). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Saltcorn is an extensible, open source, no-code database application builder. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Authenticated RCE via Path Traversal. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 8648