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 (8652)
A path traversal vulnerability in the '/apply_settings' endpoint of parisneo/lollms-webui allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. 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.
wolfictl is a command line tool for working with Wolfi. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4). No vendor patch available.
A specially crafted Zip file containing path traversal characters can be imported to the CyberPower PowerPanel server, which allows file writing to the server outside the intended scope, and could. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Server Side Request Forgery vulnerability has been discovered in OpenText™ iManager 3.2.6.0200. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Path Traversal found in OpenText™ iManager 3.2.6.0200. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A file path traversal vulnerability was identified in the DelimitedFileConnector Cloud Connector that allowed an authenticated administrator to set arbitrary connector attributes, including the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Path traversal vulnerability in “getAllFolderContents” function of Common Service Desktop, a GE HealthCare ultrasound device component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Path traversal vulnerability in “deleteFiles” function of Common Service Desktop, a GE HealthCare ultrasound device component. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Oceanic is a NodeJS library for interfacing with Discord. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in RUGGEDCOM CROSSBOW (All versions < V5.5). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in DedeCMS 5.7.114. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A path traversal issue potentially leading to remote code execution in Genie for all versions prior to 4.3.18. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WPS Office (aka cn.wps.moffice_eng) application before 17.0.0 for Android fails to properly sanitize file names before processing them through external application interactions, leading to a form. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An arbitrary file read vulnerability in DedeCMS v5.7.114 allows authenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying any path in makehtml_js_action.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed through improved state management. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerProtect DM5500 version 5.15.0.0 and prior contain an Arbitrary File Delete via Path Traversal vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
CmsEasy v7.7.7.9 was discovered to contain a local file inclusion vunerability via the file_get_contents function in the fckedit_action method of /admin/template_admin.php. 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.
AChecker 1.5 allows remote attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files via the download.php path parameter by using Unauthenticated Path Traversal. 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 Startklar Elementor Addons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.13. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 22.2% and no vendor patch available.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Brevo Sendinblue for WooCommerce allows Relative Path Traversal, Manipulating Web Input to File System. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in HSC Mailinspector 5.2.17-3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in HSC Mailinspector 5.2.17-3 through v.5.2.18. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Litestar and Starlite is an Asynchronous Server Gateway Interface (ASGI) framework. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Pterodactyl wings is the server control plane for Pterodactyl Panel. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in codesiddhant Jasmin Ransomware v.1.0.1 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via the download_file.php component. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Delta Electronics DIAEnergie has insufficient input validation which makes it possible to perform a path traversal attack and write outside of the intended directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Spectra - WordPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in versions up to, and including, 2.12.6 via the get_block_default_attributes function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability on Mitel 6800 Series and 6900 Series SIP Phones through 6.3 SP3 HF4, 6900w Series SIP Phone through 6.3.3, and 6970 Conference Unit through 5.1.1 SP8 allows an authenticated attacker. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2). No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in lsgwr spring boot online exam v.0.9 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via the FileTransUtil.java component. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in FME Modules customfields v.2.2.7 and before allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the Custom Checkout Fields, Add Custom Fields to Checkout. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Quest KACE Agent for Windows 12.0.38 and 13.1.23.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Quest KACE Agent for Windows 12.0.38 and 13.1.23.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Quest KACE Agent for Windows 12.0.38 and 13.1.23.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in TaoCMS v.3.0.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain sensitive information via the include/model/file.php component. 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.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in NEXSYS-ONE before v.Rev.15320 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted request. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in MailCleaner up to 2023.03.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The system configuration interface of HGiga iSherlock (including MailSherlock, SpamSherlock, AuditSherlock) fails to filter special characters in certain function parameters, allowing remote. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The account management interface of HGiga iSherlock (including MailSherlock, SpamSherlock, AuditSherlock) fails to filter special characters in certain function parameters, allowing remote attackers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The BackUpWordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 3.13 via the hmbkp_directory_browse parameter. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in lib/admin/image.admin.php in cmseasy v7.7.7.9 20240105 allows attackers to delete arbitrary files via crafted GET request. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions of GitLab CE/EE 16.9 prior to 16.9.6, 16.10 prior to 16.10.4, and 16.11 prior to 16.11.1 where path traversal could lead to DoS and. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), 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 FormAssembly / Drew Buschhorn WP-FormAssembly allows Path Traversal.0.5. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell Repository Manager, versions 3.4.2 through 3.4.4,contains a Path Traversal vulnerability in logger module. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell Repository Manager, versions prior to 3.4.5, contains a Path Traversal vulnerability in API module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hono is a Web application framework that provides support for any JavaScript runtime. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The network server of fceux 2.7.0 has a path traversal vulnerability, allowing attackers to overwrite any files on the server without authentication by fake ROM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in RaidenMAILD Mail Server v.4.9.4 and before allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via the /webeditor/ component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Owncast is an open source, self-hosted, decentralized, single user live video streaming and chat server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
CuteHttpFileServer v.3.1 version has an arbitrary file download vulnerability, which allows attackers to download arbitrary files on the server and obtain sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SecuSTATION Camera V2.5.5.3116-S50-SMA-B20160811A and lower allows an unauthenticated attacker to download device configuration files via a crafted request. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to delete specific type of files and/or cause denial of service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to delete arbitrary files, thereby leading to Denial-of-Service. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Path Traversal vulnerability in web component of Ivanti Avalanche before 6.4.3 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM. 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 AGILELOGIX Store Locator WordPress.4.14. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), 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 Zachary Segal CataBlog.7.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
CMSeasy 7.7.7.9 is vulnerable to code execution. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SolarWinds Serv-U was found to be susceptible to a Directory Traversal Remote Code Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Keycloak, where it does not properly validate URLs included in a redirect. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kohya_ss is a GUI for Kohya's Stable Diffusion trainers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Kohya_ss is a GUI for Kohya's Stable Diffusion trainers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
DocsGPT is a GPT-powered chat for documentation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
langchain-ai/langchain is vulnerable to path traversal due to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('Path Traversal') in its LocalFileStore functionality. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A directory traversal vulnerability exists in the zenml-io/zenml repository, specifically within the /api/v1/steps endpoint. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
vertaai/modeldb is vulnerable to a path traversal attack due to improper sanitization of user-supplied file paths in its file upload functionality. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the mlflow/mlflow repository, specifically within the handling of the `artifact_location` parameter when creating an experiment. 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.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the mlflow/mlflow repository due to improper handling of URL parameters. 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.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the mlflow/mlflow repository, specifically within the artifact deletion functionality. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in the `_create_model_version()` function within `server/handlers.py` of the mlflow/mlflow repository, due to improper validation of the `source` parameter. 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.
A path traversal vulnerability exists in mlflow/mlflow version 2.9.2, allowing attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. 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.
mintplex-labs/anything-llm is vulnerable to a relative path traversal attack, allowing unauthorized attackers with a default role account to delete files and folders within the filesystem, including. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Backup Agents section in WBSAirback 21.02.04 is affected by a Path Traversal vulnerability, allowing a user with low privileges to download files from the system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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 RexTheme Product Feed Manager.3.15. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in cym1102 nginxWebUI up to 3.9.9. 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.
stable-diffusion-webui is a web interface for Stable Diffusion, implemented using Gradio library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NiceGUI is an easy-to-use, Python-based UI framework. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in DedeCMS 5.7.112-UTF8 and classified as problematic. 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.
Directory Traversal vulnerability in DerbyNet v.9.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the page parameter of the kiosk.php component. 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.
An issue in Secure Lockdown Multi Application Edition v2.00.219 allows attackers to read arbitrary files via using UNC paths. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
mintplex-labs/anything-llm is vulnerable to path traversal attacks due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input in the logo filename functionality. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
qdrant/qdrant is vulnerable to a path traversal and arbitrary file upload vulnerability via the `/collections/{COLLECTION}/snapshots/upload` endpoint, specifically through the `snapshot` parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
gradio-app/gradio is vulnerable to a local file inclusion vulnerability due to improper validation of user-supplied input in the UploadButton component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 8652