CVE-2009-5068Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary file disclosure via error-log file parameter

Published Jan 15, 2020 · Updated Aug 7, 2024

File disclosure in Simple Machines Forum 2.0.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary server files. The administrative error-log viewer decodes its file parameter and reads the resulting attacker-chosen path without restricting it to log files. An administrator backend session is required; in shared co-admin deployments, reading settings.php exposes database passwords and expands privileges beyond the forum.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability1.73%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

File disclosure in Simple Machines Forum 2.0.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary server files. The administrative error-log viewer decodes its file parameter and reads the resulting attacker-chosen path without restricting it to log files. An administrator backend session is required; in shared co-admin deployments, reading settings.php exposes database passwords and expands privileges beyond the forum.

The record

CVE
CVE-2009-5068
Published
Jan 15, 2020
Updated
Aug 7, 2024
Vendor
Simple Machines
Product
Simple Machines Forum
Classifications
CWE-312, T1005, T1552.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 15, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 7, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=through 2.0.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Simple Machines · Simple Machines Forumversion=through 2.0.3

Published CVSS scores

3.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N
7.2NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-312Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
T1005Data from Local System
T1552.001Credentials In Files

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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