Description

IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.11.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to improper validation of symbolic links.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "6.5",
  "pubDate": "2026-09-04T16:17:23.960Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-09-04T16:17:23.960Z",
  "executiveSummary": "IBM Langflow OSS versions 1.0.0 through 1.11.2 are susceptible to a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability stemming from improper validation of symbolic links. This flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker to bypass intended directory restrictions by manipulating file system references. The vulnerability resides in the application's file handling logic, where insufficient sanitization of symbolic links enables access to files or directories outside of the intended scope. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized retrieval of sensitive data, such as configuration files, environment secrets, or internal application data, potentially compromising the confidentiality of the entire host environment. The attack requires the adversary to be authenticated, meaning the barrier to entry is limited to gaining access to a low-privilege user account within the Langflow instance. Given the nature of Langflow as a workflow automation tool, this exposure poses a significant risk to organizational data integrity and system security posture.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability is a flaw in how the application processes file system operations. When the application handles user-supplied inputs or processes workflows that involve file interactions, it fails to perform adequate canonicalization or validation of symbolic links. In Unix-like environments, symbolic links are pointers that refer to a specific path in the file system. By creating or leveraging existing symbolic links that resolve to sensitive locations, an attacker can trick the application into performing operations on files it should not be able to access.\nThe attack flow commences with the attacker authenticated to the IBM Langflow platform. Utilizing the application's features for file uploads or flow configuration, the attacker provides an input that incorporates a crafted symbolic link or modifies a path to point to a system-critical file, such as '/etc/passwd' or internal environment configuration files where API keys or database credentials might be stored. Because the application logic follows these links without verifying that the resolved destination remains within the designated sandbox or base directory, it treats the symlink's target as a legitimate file operation.\nWhen the application executes the file read or processing operation, the operating system resolves the symbolic link. The application, failing to check for path traversal or link resolution anomalies, inadvertently exposes the content of the target file back to the attacker, often via the application's interface or API responses. This mechanism effectively bypasses security boundaries established by the application's file storage logic.\nThe vulnerability affects IBM Langflow OSS versions 1.0.0 through 1.11.2. The exposure is categorized as a high-impact security risk because it enables arbitrary file reading on the server hosting the application. The primary constraint is that the attacker must have valid credentials to interact with the Langflow instance. Once authenticated, the attacker does not require administrative privileges to perform this operation, provided the user has sufficient access to trigger the relevant file-handling workflows. Post-exploitation, the attacker may obtain sufficient information to escalate privileges, move laterally within the network, or gain full control over the underlying server if sensitive configuration credentials are exfiltrated."
}