Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-2356

Path Traversal in Lfprojects Mlflow ≤ 2.3.1

Public PoCPath Traversal
Published
28 April 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
View advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.042 90th percentile
Risk Priority 83 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-2356 is a high-severity Relative Path Traversal (CWE-23) vulnerability in Lfprojects Mlflow. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 10% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2023-2356 is a relative path traversal vulnerability (CWE-23) affecting the MLflow open-source machine-learning platform in the mlflow/mlflow GitHub repository prior to version 2.3.1. The flaw received a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, reflecting network attackability with no required credentials or user interaction and a high impact on confidentiality.

An unauthenticated remote attacker can supply crafted path sequences to read arbitrary files on the server hosting the MLflow instance, exposing sensitive configuration data, credentials, or model artifacts without affecting integrity or availability.

The referenced GitHub commit and corresponding huntr.dev report document the fix that was merged to close the traversal issue; practitioners should upgrade to MLflow 2.3.1 or later. The associated EPSS score remains elevated (current 0.8902, peak 0.9049), indicating sustained exploitation interest for this ML-specific component.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

A01:2025 Broken Access Control

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

Relative Path Traversal in GitHub repository mlflow/mlflow prior to 2.3.1.

CWE(s)
CWE-23

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1005 Data from Local System Collection
Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.
attack.mitre.org →
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-6977Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-6975Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-1177Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-2780Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2024-1594Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-6015Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2024-1593Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-1176Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-30172Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow
CVE-2023-6976Same product: Lfprojects Mlflow

Affected Assets

lfprojects
mlflow
≤ 2.3.1

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

—

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

—

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

—

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V5.3.2

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices directly require input validation and path sanitization that prevent relative traversal.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

A.8.29 Security testing in development and acceptance mostly match
finds

Security testing in development catches path traversal via static/dynamic analysis, but does not itself implement the fix.

A.8.25 Secure development life cycle partial match
prevents

Secure development lifecycle mandates input validation and path-handling controls that directly prevent relative path traversal.

A.8.26 Application security requirements partial match
prevents

Application security requirements explicitly call for controls against path traversal and other injection flaws.

A.8.27 Secure system architecture and engineering principles partial match
prevents

Secure architecture principles include directory isolation and canonicalization, reducing but not eliminating traversal risk.

A.8.28 Secure coding partial match
prevents

Secure coding standards require neutralizing path traversal sequences, directly addressing CWE-23.

A.8.3 Information access restriction partial match
mitigates

Information access restriction limits which files can be reached, mitigating impact but not preventing the traversal flaw.

References