# CVE-2020-13953: Improper file downloads in Apache Tapestry

> Attackers can download sensitive files from the WEB-INF directory by crafting specific URLs in Apache Tapestry applications.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/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:** Yes
- **Published:** 30 Sep 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-w9mp-p2wp-2xf7

## What is CVE-2020-13953?

CVE-2020-13953 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Tapestry, published on 30 Sep 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Apache Tapestry from 5.4.0 to 5.5.0, crafting specific URLs, an attacker can download files inside the WEB-INF folder of the WAR being run.

Weakness: CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-13953?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core` | Maven | From 5.4.0 | 5.6.0 |
| `org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core` | Maven | From 5.4.0 | 5.6.0 |

Products: Apache Tapestry.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-13953?

Upgrade org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core to 5.6.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-13953 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-13953 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tapestry

- [CVE-2022-46366](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-46366/): Apache Tapestry prior to version 4 (EOL) allows RCE though deserialization of untrusted input (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-27850](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-27850/): Bypass of the fix for CVE-2019-0195 (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-17531](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-17531/): Deserialization flaw in EOL Tapestry 4. (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-0195](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0195/): Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Apache Tapestry (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-10071](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-10071/): Timing attack on HMAC signature comparison in Apache Tapestry (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-13953 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-13953 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Apache Tapestry, published on 30 Sep 2020. 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-2020-13953 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core (Maven): affected from 5.4.0; fixed in 5.6.0
- org.apache.tapestry:tapestry-core (Maven): affected from 5.4.0; fixed in 5.6.0

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-2020-13953/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13953/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-13953
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-13953
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-13953

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13953/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.