CVE-2025-34120
Published: 16 July 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-34120 is a high-severity Path Traversal (CWE-22) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 8.7 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
An unauthenticated file download vulnerability affects LimeSurvey versions from 2.0+ through 2.06+ Build 151014. The flaw stems from missing validation of serialized input to the admin backup endpoint at index.php/admin/update/sa/backup, which accepts a crafted datasupdateinfo payload to specify arbitrary file paths. The application then packages the requested files into a ZIP archive and serves them for download, exposing the host filesystem without requiring authentication. The issue is tracked under CWE-22 and CWE-306 and carries a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7.
Remote attackers with no credentials can exploit the endpoint over the network to retrieve any readable file on the system, including operating-system files and application configuration data. Because the attack requires no user interaction or privileges and succeeds against the default configuration, it enables straightforward reconnaissance or theft of sensitive information.
Public references include a SEC Consult advisory detailing multiple LimeSurvey issues, an archived LimeSurvey security notice from 2015, a Metasploit auxiliary module that implements the file-download technique, and a VulnCheck entry summarizing the flaw. These materials confirm the vulnerability has been publicly documented with accompanying exploit code.
The EPSS score currently stands at 0.6994, matching its recorded peak and indicating sustained exploitation interest after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-21750
Vulnerability details
An unauthenticated file download vulnerability exists in LimeSurvey versions from 2.0+ up to and including 2.06+ Build 151014. The application fails to validate serialized input to the admin backup endpoint (`index.php/admin/update/sa/backup`), allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths using a…
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crafted `datasupdateinfo` payload. The files are packaged in a ZIP archive and made available for download without authentication. This vulnerability can be exploited to read arbitrary files on the host system, including sensitive OS and configuration files.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.
Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.
Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.
The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.
Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.
Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.