Description

Cloud Commander before 19.20.2 contains a directory traversal vulnerability in REST file-operation and markdown endpoints that fails to properly validate path normalization. Attackers can use path traversal sequences to read, write, move, or copy files outside the configured root directory.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-29T17:17:58.060Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-29T17:17:58.060Z",
  "executiveSummary": "Cloud Commander versions prior to 19.20.2 are susceptible to a critical directory traversal vulnerability affecting its REST file-operation and markdown endpoints.\nThe vulnerability stems from improper path normalization during the processing of user-supplied input, allowing unauthorized actors to bypass intended filesystem access restrictions.\nBy leveraging path traversal sequences such as '../', a remote attacker can escape the designated root directory and gain read, write, move, or copy capabilities over arbitrary files on the underlying host operating system.\nThis flaw represents a significant security risk, as it allows for the exfiltration of sensitive configuration files, unauthorized modification of system data, or the potential for remote code execution if sensitive executable files or configuration scripts are manipulated.\nSuccessful exploitation does not inherently require complex authentication if the affected endpoints are exposed, making this a high-impact vulnerability that mandates immediate remediation via software updates.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability resides within the request handling logic for RESTful API endpoints responsible for file management and markdown processing in Cloud Commander. The application fails to adequately sanitize or normalize the file paths provided in HTTP requests before performing filesystem operations.\nThe root cause is an insufficient validation mechanism during the path resolution process. Specifically, the application does not strictly enforce the confinement of file system access to the configured root directory. When the application receives a request, it performs path concatenation based on user input without stripping or blocking directory traversal sequences such as '../'.\nAn attacker can exploit this by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing dot-dot-slash (../) sequences. When the application processes these strings, it navigates outside of the intended directory context, allowing the application's process—which typically runs with the privileges of the user executing the Cloud Commander service—to interact with arbitrary locations on the filesystem.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: 1) The attacker targets an exposed REST endpoint; 2) The attacker submits a crafted payload containing traversal sequences directed at sensitive target files (e.g., /etc/passwd or configuration files containing credentials); 3) The backend, lacking proper normalization, expands the path to point outside the application's working directory; 4) The application executes the requested operation (read, write, move, or copy) against the unauthorized file path.\nThe impact of this vulnerability is severe. Read operations permit the disclosure of sensitive system information, potentially revealing environment variables, API keys, or database credentials. Write, move, or copy operations allow an attacker to modify application logic, inject malicious scripts into directories served by the application, or disrupt service stability by deleting critical configuration files.\nThe vulnerability affects all versions of Cloud Commander prior to 19.20.2. Exposure depends on the network accessibility of the affected REST endpoints. If the service is exposed to an untrusted network, the risk of exploitation is significantly elevated. Post-exploitation, an attacker gains the ability to manipulate the filesystem with the same permissions as the Cloud Commander process, enabling lateral movement or persistence within the environment."
}