# CVE-2023-36220: Path traversal in n/a

> Authenticated attackers can exploit a directory traversal flaw in the plugin upload function to execute arbitrary code and access sensitive data.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Aug 2023
- **Updated:** 11 Oct 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xcvw-5f44-wf2r

## What is CVE-2023-36220?

CVE-2023-36220 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 7 Aug 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Directory Traversal vulnerability in Textpattern CMS v4.8.8 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code and gain access to sensitive information via the plugin Upload function.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-36220?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Textpattern Textpattern.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-36220?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-36220 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-36220 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-36220 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2020-19510](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-19510/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2018-7474](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-7474/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-50038](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-50038/): File upload in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-24269](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-24269/): File upload in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2020-29458](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-29458/): Cross-site request forgery in n/a (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-36220 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-36220 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 7 Aug 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-36220 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-2023-36220/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-36220/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-36220
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36220
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36220

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-36220/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.