# CVE-2025-27092: Path Traversal Vulnerability in GHOSTS Photo Retrieval Endpoint

> Attackers can read arbitrary files from the server via path traversal in the photo retrieval endpoint of the GHOSTS simulation framework.

- **Severity:** High 8.7 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 19 Feb 2025
- **Updated:** 20 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qr67-m6w9-wj3j

## What is CVE-2025-27092?

CVE-2025-27092 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in cmu-sei GHOSTS, published on 19 Feb 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

GHOSTS is an open source user simulation framework for cyber experimentation, simulation, training, and exercise. A path traversal vulnerability was discovered in GHOSTS version 8.0.0.0 that allows an attacker to access files outside of the intended directory through the photo retrieval endpoint. The vulnerability exists in the /api/npcs/{id}/photo endpoint, which is designed to serve profile photos for NPCs (Non-Player Characters) but fails to properly validate and sanitize file paths. When an NPC is created with a specially crafted photoLink value containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.), the application processes these sequences without proper sanitization. This allows an attacker to traverse directory structures and access files outside of the intended photo directory, potentially exposing sensitive system files. The vulnerability is particularly severe because it allows reading arbitrary files from the server's filesystem with the permissions of the web application process, which could include configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data. This issue has been addressed in version 8.2.7.90 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-2025-27092?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cmu Ghosts.

## How do I fix CVE-2025-27092?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-27092 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2025-27092 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-27092 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2025-27092 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2025-27092 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in cmu-sei GHOSTS, published on 19 Feb 2025. 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-2025-27092 exists.

Affected product: cmu-sei GHOSTS. 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-2025-27092/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27092/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-27092
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-27092
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2025-27092

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27092/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.