# CVE-2023-6038: Local File Inclusion in h2oai/h2o-3

> Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files on the server via Local File Inclusion in the h2o-3 REST API.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/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:** No
- **Published:** 16 Nov 2023
- **Updated:** 29 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6mv8-95x5-xcq9

## What is CVE-2023-6038?

CVE-2023-6038 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in h2oai/h2o-3, published on 16 Nov 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in the h2o-3 REST API, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files on the server with the permissions of the user running the h2o-3 instance. This issue affects the default installation and does not require user interaction. The vulnerability can be exploited by making specific GET or POST requests to the ImportFiles and ParseSetup endpoints, respectively. This issue was identified in version 3.40.0.4 of h2o-3.

Weakness: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-6038?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including ai.h2o:h2o-core. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `ai.h2o:h2o-core` | Maven | All versions to 3.40.0.4 | None |
| `ai.h2o:h2o-core` | Maven | All versions to 3.40.0.4 | None |

Products: H2o H2o.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-6038?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-6038 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-6038 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-6038 exists.

Public exploit code:

- H2O ImportFiles - Local File Inclusion (nuclei): http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-6038.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in h2oai/h2o-3

- [CVE-2023-6016](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6016/): H2O Remote Code Execution via POJO Model Import (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2025-6544](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-6544/): Deserialization Vulnerability in h2oai/h2o-3 (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-10553](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-10553/): Jdbc Deserialization in h2oai/h2o-3 (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-6569](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6569/): External Control of File Name or Path in h2oai/h2o-3 (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2023-6013](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6013/): H2O Local File Include (critical 9.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-6038 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-6038 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in h2oai/h2o-3, published on 16 Nov 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-2023-6038 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 3.40.0.4; no fix listed
- ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven): affected all versions up to 3.40.0.4; no fix listed

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-2023-6038/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6038/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-6038
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6038
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-6038

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-6038/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.