# CVE-2024-51998: Path traversal using file URI scheme without supplying hostname in changedetection.io

> Attackers can read arbitrary system files via file URI scheme bypass in changedetection.io when webdriver is enabled.

- **Severity:** High 8.6 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/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:** 7 Nov 2024
- **Updated:** 8 Nov 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6jrf-rcjf-245r, PYSEC-2026-1239

## What is CVE-2024-51998?

CVE-2024-51998 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in dgtlmoon changedetection.io, published on 7 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

changedetection.io is a free open source web page change detection tool. The validation for the file URI scheme falls short, and results in an attacker being able to read any file on the system. This issue only affects instances with a webdriver enabled, and `ALLOW_FILE_URI` false or not defined. The check used for URL protocol, `is_safe_url`, allows `file:` as a URL scheme. It later checks if local files are permitted, but one of the preconditions for the check is that the URL starts with `file://`. The issue comes with the fact that the file URI scheme is not required to have double slashes. This issue has been addressed in version 0.47.06 and all users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-51998?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including changedetection.io and changedetection-io.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `changedetection.io` | PyPI | All versions | 0.47.6 |
| `changedetection-io` | PyPI | All versions | 0.47.6 |
| `changedetection-io` | PyPI | All versions | 0.47.6 |

## How do I fix CVE-2024-51998?

Upgrade changedetection.io to 0.47.6 or later.

## Is CVE-2024-51998 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2024-51998 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-51998 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-51998 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in dgtlmoon changedetection.io, published on 7 Nov 2024. 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-2024-51998 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- changedetection.io (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 0.47.6
- changedetection-io (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 0.47.6
- changedetection-io (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 0.47.6

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-2024-51998/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-51998/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-51998
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-51998
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-51998

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-51998/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.