# GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8: DotVVM allows path traversal when deployed in Debug mode

> Attackers can read arbitrary files from the server if DotVVM is deployed in Debug mode with file resources, exposing secrets.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Jun 2025

## What is GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8?

GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 is a path traversal vulnerability in DotVVM, published on 19 Jun 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

### Description

There is a path traversal vulnerability in any DotVVM application started in Debug mode, if at least one resource with the `FileResourceLocation` has been added. The vulnerability allows an attacker to read arbitrary files from the filesystem accessible by the web application (i.e. appsettings.json or other files containing secrets).

### Patches

The bug is patched in versions  **4.2.10**, **4.3.8** and **5.0.0-preview03-final** (and newer).

Apart from updating DotVVM, it is also recommend invalidating any secrets which could have been leaked by an application deployed in Debug mode (such as database passwords).

### Workarounds

If you cannot update to a patched version, avoid running a publicly accessible DotVVM application in Debug mode (Development environment in Asp.Net Core). It is recommend adding the following statement to the DotvvmStartup class:

```
    config.Debug = false; // TODO: workaround for GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8, remove after updating DotVVM
```

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8?

6 open source packages ship an affected version, including DotVVM.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | All versions | 4.2.10 |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | All versions | 4.2.10 |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | From 4.3.0-preview01-final | 4.3.8 |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | From 4.3.0-preview01-final | 4.3.8 |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | From 5.0.0-preview01-final | 5.0.0-preview03-final |
| `DotVVM` | NuGet | From 5.0.0-preview01-final | 5.0.0-preview03-final |

## How do I fix GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8?

Upgrade DotVVM to a fixed version for your release line: 4.2.10, 4.3.8 or 5.0.0-preview03-final.

## Is GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 is a path traversal vulnerability in DotVVM, published on 19 Jun 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected all versions; fixed in 4.2.10
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected all versions; fixed in 4.2.10
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected from 4.3.0-preview01-final; fixed in 4.3.8
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected from 4.3.0-preview01-final; fixed in 4.3.8
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected from 5.0.0-preview01-final; fixed in 5.0.0-preview03-final
- DotVVM (NuGet): affected from 5.0.0-preview01-final; fixed in 5.0.0-preview03-final

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/GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6q65-j4jw-9cg8/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.