# CVE-2020-15623: Path traversal in CentOS Web Panel

> Remote attackers can write arbitrary files via path traversal in CentOS Web Panel, leading to root code execution without authentication.

- **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:** 28 Jul 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4hcf-cp54-4wwx

## What is CVE-2020-15623?

CVE-2020-15623 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Control-Webpanel Webpanel, published on 28 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to write arbitrary files on affected installations of CentOS Web Panel cwp-e17.0.9.8.923. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within ajax_mod_security.php. When parsing the archivo parameter, the process does not properly validate a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-9722.

Weakness: CWE-749 (Exposed Dangerous Method or Function)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-15623?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Control-Webpanel Webpanel.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-15623?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-15623 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-15623 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-15623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Control-Webpanel Webpanel

- [CVE-2022-44877](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-44877/): CWP Control Web Panel OS Command Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48703](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48703/): CWP Control Web Panel OS Command Injection (critical 9.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-42121](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-42121/): Control Web Panel Missing Authentication Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-45466](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45466/): Missing authorization in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-45467](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45467/): Missing authorization in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-15623 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-15623 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Control-Webpanel Webpanel, published on 28 Jul 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-2020-15623 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Control-Webpanel Webpanel. 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-2020-15623/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15623/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-15623
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15623
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-15623

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15623/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.