CVE-2023-47271Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via cover-image path traversal

Published Nov 5, 2023 · Updated Nov 26, 2024

Path traversal in PKP-WAL before 3.3.0-16 allows remote authenticated users to write arbitrary files through a crafted import XML file. The PKPNativeFilterHelper::parsePublicationCover method trusts the cover_image filename and passes its derived path with decoded embed data to file_put_contents without restricting traversal sequences. Access to the native Import/Export plugin, such as Journal Editor or Production Editor permissions, is required; writing a PHP file into a web-served path grants arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.62%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in PKP-WAL before 3.3.0-16 allows remote authenticated users to write arbitrary files through a crafted import XML file. The PKPNativeFilterHelper::parsePublicationCover method trusts the cover_image filename and passes its derived path with decoded embed data to file_put_contents without restricting traversal sequences. Access to the native Import/Export plugin, such as Journal Editor or Production Editor permissions, is required; writing a PHP file into a web-served path grants arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-47271
Published
Nov 5, 2023
Updated
Nov 26, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 5, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 26, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

5.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

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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