# CVE-2018-8712: Path traversal in n/a

> Attackers can read sensitive system files like /etc/shadow via path traversal in Webmin's log viewer due to weak default configuration settings.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 14 Mar 2018
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4pv5-xvgv-46m2

## What is CVE-2018-8712?

CVE-2018-8712 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Webmin Webmin, published on 14 Mar 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An issue was discovered in Webmin 1.840 and 1.880 when the default Yes setting of "Can view any file as a log file" is enabled. As a result of weak default configuration settings, limited users have full access rights to the underlying Unix system files, allowing the user to read sensitive data from the local system (using Local File Include) such as the '/etc/shadow' file via a "GET /syslog/save_log.cgi?view=1&file=/etc/shadow" request.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8712?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Webmin Webmin.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-8712?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8712 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-8712 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-8712 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Webmin Webmin

- [CVE-2019-15107](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-15107/): Webmin Command Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2002-2201](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-2201/): Command injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2001-1196](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2001-1196/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2024-12828](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-12828/): Webmin CGI Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2022-36446](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-36446/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-8712 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-8712 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Webmin Webmin, published on 14 Mar 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-8712 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Webmin Webmin. 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-2018-8712/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8712/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-8712
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8712
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-8712

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8712/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.