# CVE-2017-20105: Simplessus path traversal

> Remote attackers can exploit a path traversal vulnerability in Simplessus to read arbitrary files, such as /etc/passwd, by manipulating the path argument.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 28 Jun 2022
- **Updated:** 15 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-v3v8-hmcm-pghv

## What is CVE-2017-20105?

CVE-2017-20105 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in unspecified Simplessus, published on 28 Jun 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability was found in Simplessus 3.7.7. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation of the argument path with the input ..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2fetc%2fpasswd leads to path traversal. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 3.8.3 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-20105?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Simplessus Simplessus.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-20105?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-20105 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-20105 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-20105 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in unspecified Simplessus

- [CVE-2017-20104](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20104/): Simplessus Cookie Time sql injection (high 7.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-20105 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-20105 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in unspecified Simplessus, published on 28 Jun 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-20105 exists.

Affected product: unspecified Simplessus. 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-2017-20105/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20105/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-20105
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-20105
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-20105

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20105/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.