# CVE-2023-49796: MindsDB Arbitrary File Write vulnerability

> An attacker can write arbitrary files to the server, potentially leading to data modification or further compromise.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/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:** 11 Dec 2023
- **Updated:** 2 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-crhp-7c74-cg4c

## What is CVE-2023-49796?

CVE-2023-49796 is a medium-severity vulnerability in mindsdb, published on 11 Dec 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

MindsDB connects artificial intelligence models to real time data. Versions prior to 23.11.4.1 contain a limited file write vulnerability in `file.py` Users should use MindsDB's `staging` branch or v23.11.4.1, which contain a fix for the issue.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-49796?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including mindsdb. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `mindsdb` | PyPI | All versions | 23.11.4.1 |
| `mindsdb` | PyPI | All versions | 23.11.4.1 |

Products: Mindsdb Mindsdb.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-49796?

Upgrade mindsdb to 23.11.4.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-49796 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-49796 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in mindsdb

- [CVE-2024-24759](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-24759/): MindsDB Vulnerable to Bypass of SSRF Protection with DNS Rebinding (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2023-50731](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-50731/): MindsDB has arbitrary file write in file.py (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2023-38699](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38699/): MindsDB 'Call to requests with verify=False disabling SSL certificate checks, security issue.' issue (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2024-45856](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-45856/): MindsDB Cross-site Scripting vulnerability (critical 9.0)
- [CVE-2026-27483](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-27483/): MindsDB has Path Traversal in /api/files Leading to Remote Code Execution (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-49796 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-49796 is a medium-severity vulnerability in mindsdb, published on 11 Dec 2023. 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-2023-49796 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- mindsdb (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 23.11.4.1
- mindsdb (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 23.11.4.1

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-2023-49796/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-49796/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-49796
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-49796
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-49796

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-49796/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.