# CVE-2023-39143: Path traversal in n/a

> Attackers can exploit path traversal to upload, read, or delete arbitrary files, potentially achieving remote code execution if external device integration is enabled.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/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:** 4 Aug 2023
- **Updated:** 5 May 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-mm5w-gqw5-m4qx

## What is CVE-2023-39143?

CVE-2023-39143 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 4 Aug 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

PaperCut NG and PaperCut MF before 22.1.3 on Windows allow path traversal, enabling attackers to upload, read, or delete arbitrary files. This leads to remote code execution when external device integration is enabled (a very common configuration).

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-39143?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Papercut Papercut Mf, Papercut Papercut Ng.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-39143?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-39143 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-39143 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-39143 exists.

Public exploit code:

- https://github.com/foregenix/CVE-2023-39143 (github_poc): https://github.com/foregenix/CVE-2023-39143
- PaperCut < 22.1.3 - Path Traversal (nuclei): http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-39143.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2023-27350](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-27350/): PaperCut MF/NG Improper Access Control (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-82078](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-82078/): PaperCut NG/MF Unsafe Reflection (critical 9.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-81578](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-81578/): PaperCut NG/MF Missing Authentication for Critical Function (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-2533](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2533/): PaperCut NG/MF Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-27351](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-27351/): PaperCut NG/MF Improper Authentication (high 8.2, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-39143 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-39143 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 4 Aug 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-39143 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-2023-39143/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39143/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-39143
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-39143
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-39143

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39143/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.