CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-102523NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

server: External Control of File Name or Path

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-102523 is a high-severity external control of file name or path vulnerability in server from MariaDB, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected server versions: >= 10.11.1, < 10.11.19; >= 11.4.1, < 11.4.13; >= 11.8.1, < 11.8.9, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.75% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 56% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MariaDBserver>= 10.11.1, < 10.11.19; >= 11.4.1, < 11.4.13; >= 11.8.1, < 11.8.9; >= 12.3.1, < 12.3.3; >= 13.0.1, < 13.0.2Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

MariaDB server is a community developed fork of MySQL server. From 10.11.1 until 10.11.19, 11.4.13, 11.8.9, 12.3.3, and 13.0.2, ALTER TABLE ... CONVERT ... PARTITION does not apply filename encoding to user-specified partition names before using them in filesystem path construction. An authenticated database user can use a partition name requiring filename escaping to make the conversion operate on table files the user is not authorized to access, allowing unauthorized table reads or modifications. This issue is fixed in versions 10.11.19, 11.4.13, 11.8.9, 12.3.3, and 13.0.2.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: External Control of File Name or Path

The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • When the set of filenames is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames, and reject all other inputs. For example, ID 1 could map to inbox.txt and ID 2 could map to profile.txt. Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap provide this capability.
  • Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict all access to files within a particular directory. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities (CWE-73)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in server

All server vulnerabilities

Recent External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities

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