# CVE-2023-4782: Terraform Allows Arbitrary File Write During Init Operation

> Attackers can write arbitrary files during Terraform init via malicious configs, potentially leading to code execution or data modification.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Sep 2023
- **Updated:** 26 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** AZL-29705, GHSA-h626-pv66-hhm7, GO-2023-2055

## What is CVE-2023-4782?

CVE-2023-4782 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in HashiCorp Terraform, published on 8 Sep 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Terraform version 1.0.8 through 1.5.6 allows arbitrary file write during the `init` operation if run on maliciously crafted Terraform configuration. This vulnerability is fixed in Terraform 1.5.7.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-4782?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including github.com/hashicorp/terraform. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `github.com/hashicorp/terraform` | Go | From 1.0.8 | 1.5.7 |
| `github.com/hashicorp/terraform` | Go | From 1.0.8 | 1.5.7 |
| `github.com/hashicorp/terraform` | Go | From 1.0.8 | 1.5.7 |

Products: Hashicorp Terraform.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-4782?

Upgrade github.com/hashicorp/terraform to 1.5.7 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-4782 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-4782 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in HashiCorp Terraform

- [CVE-2018-9057](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-9057/): HashiCorp Terraform Amazon Web Services (AWS) uses an insecure PRNG (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-36230](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-36230/): Missing authorization in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-19316](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-19316/): Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in Terraform (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2025-13432](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-13432/): Terraform Enterprise state versions can be created by users with specific permissions without sufficient write access (medium 4.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-4782 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-4782 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in HashiCorp Terraform, published on 8 Sep 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-4782 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- github.com/hashicorp/terraform (Go): affected from 1.0.8; fixed in 1.5.7
- github.com/hashicorp/terraform (Go): affected from 1.0.8; fixed in 1.5.7
- github.com/hashicorp/terraform (Go): affected from 1.0.8; fixed in 1.5.7

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-2023-4782/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4782/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-4782
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4782
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-4782

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4782/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.