xerteonlinetoolkits: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2026-34414 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in xerteonlinetoolkits from Thexerteproject, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected xerteonlinetoolkits versions: 3.15.0 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.83% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 87% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of xerteonlinetoolkits you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thexerteproject | xerteonlinetoolkits | 3.15.0 and earlier | Not 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
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Xerte Online Toolkits versions 3.15 and earlier contain a relative path traversal vulnerability in the elFinder connector endpoint at /editor/elfinder/php/connector.php where the name parameter in rename commands is not sanitized for path traversal sequences. Attackers can supply a name value containing directory traversal sequences to move files from project media directories to arbitrary locations on the filesystem, potentially overwriting application files, achieving stored cross-site scripting, or combining with other vulnerabilities to achieve unauthenticated remote code execution by moving PHP code files to the application root.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- 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.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/thexerteproject/xerteonlinetoolkits/commit/02661be88cc369325ea01b508086bde7fbfec805
- github.com/thexerteproject/xerteonlinetoolkits/commit/17e4f945fe6a3400fa88c01eda18c1075ee4a212
- github.com/thexerteproject/xerteonlinetoolkits/commit/507d55c5e91bf9310b5b1c7fad8aebfef902ad23
- xerte.org.uk/xertetoolkits_3.15_ChangeLog.html
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in xerteonlinetoolkits
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.