# CVE-2016-4806: Path traversal in n/a

> A local file inclusion vulnerability in Web2py allows attackers to read sensitive web server files.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 11 Jan 2017
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-33f5-5f45-vcqg, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-4806

## What is CVE-2016-4806?

CVE-2016-4806 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jan 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Web2py versions 2.14.5 and below was affected by Local File Inclusion vulnerability, which allows a malicious intended user to read/access web server sensitive files.

Weakness: CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-4806?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Web2py Web2py.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-4806?

No fix has been published for CVE-2016-4806 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2016-4806 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-4806 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Web2py 2.14.5 - Multiple Vulnerabilities (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2023-45158](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45158/): Command injection in web2py (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-3953](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3953/): web2py remote code execution via hardcoded encryption key in session.connect function (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-3957](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3957/): Deserialization in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-10321](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-10321/): web2py is vulnerable to password brute-force attack (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-4808](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-4808/): Web2py Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-4806 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-4806 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Jan 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2016-4806 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-4806/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-4806/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-4806
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4806
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-4806

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-4806/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.