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CVE-2025-54140: Path Traversal Vulnerability in pyLoad Results in Potential System Compromise

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Overview

This report discusses the critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-54140 in the open-source Download Manager, pyLoad. This flaw, found in version 0.5.0b3.dev89, allows an attacker to exploit a path traversal vulnerability. It is significant because it can lead to remote code execution, local privilege escalation, system-wide compromise, and even the establishment of persistent backdoors.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-54140
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.5)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: User-level
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system-wide compromise and data leakage

Affected Products

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Product | Affected Versions

pyLoad | 0.5.0b3.dev89

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability exists in the /json/upload endpoint of pyLoad. An attacker, by manipulating the filename of an uploaded file, can traverse out of the intended upload directory. This allows them to write arbitrary files to any location on the system that is accessible to the pyLoad process.

Conceptual Example Code

The following is a conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited:

POST /json/upload HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: multipart/form-data; boundary=----WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="file"; filename="../../../../etc/passwd"
Content-Type: text/plain
root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
------WebKitFormBoundary7MA4YWxkTrZu0gW

In this example, an attacker uploads a file with a manipulated filename, aiming to overwrite the ‘/etc/passwd’ file, a critical system file in Unix-like operating systems. If the malicious upload is successful, the attacker could potentially gain root-level access to the system.

Mitigation Guidance

Users of pyLoad version 0.5.0b3.dev89 are advised to immediately upgrade to version 0.5.0b3.dev90 to mitigate this vulnerability. In cases where the upgrade cannot be promptly performed, employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure.

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Disclaimer:

The information and code presented in this article are provided for educational and defensive cybersecurity purposes only. Any conceptual or pseudocode examples are simplified representations intended to raise awareness and promote secure development and system configuration practices.

Do not use this information to attempt unauthorized access or exploit vulnerabilities on systems that you do not own or have explicit permission to test.

Ameeba and its authors do not endorse or condone malicious behavior and are not responsible for misuse of the content. Always follow ethical hacking guidelines, responsible disclosure practices, and local laws.

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