CVE-2023-32778 in ILIAS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/14/2026
An issue was discovered in ILIAS 6.23, 7 before 7.22, and 8.1. An attacker can execute arbitrary code via ZIP upload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2026
The vulnerability identified in the ILIAS learning management system affects versions 6.23, all releases prior to 7.22 within version 7.x, and release 8.1 of the software platform. This security flaw centers on a critical failure in input validation mechanisms specifically related to file upload operations involving ZIP archives. When users or administrators attempt to import content via ZIP files, the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate the contents of these compressed packages before processing them for extraction and execution within the system environment.
The technical root cause lies in insufficient checks on filenames contained within the uploaded archive. Attackers can craft malicious ZIP files that include entries with specially crafted names designed to traverse directory boundaries using path traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash patterns or null byte injections, depending on the underlying operating system and library implementations. By exploiting this lack of rigorous validation, an attacker can force the extraction process to write files outside the intended target directories, potentially overwriting critical application binaries, configuration files, or placing web shells in accessible locations within the web root directory structure.
This flaw directly enables Remote Code Execution, allowing a malicious actor with upload privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the ILIAS instance. The operational impact is severe, as it compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire platform. An attacker can gain full control over the underlying operating system, leading to data exfiltration of sensitive student records, course materials, and administrative credentials. Furthermore, the compromised server may be used as a pivot point for further attacks against internal network resources or other services running on the same infrastructure.
From an industry standard perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection) and CWE-22 Path Traversal: '..' Sequence. In terms of attack tactics, it maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving Initial Access through Valid Accounts or Exploitation for Client Execution if the upload is triggered by a user interaction, followed by Persistence via Web Shell deployment. The lack of strict allow-listing for file types and names represents a classic instance of trusting untrusted input without sufficient sanitization.
Mitigation strategies require immediate action to update the ILIAS installation to version 7.22 or later where these issues have been addressed through enhanced validation logic. Administrators should also implement defense-in-depth measures by configuring web servers to restrict write permissions on directories that do not require them, ensuring that uploaded files are stored in isolated locations with execution disabled via server configuration directives such as disabling script execution in upload folders. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block attempts to exploit path traversal or code injection patterns within file uploads before they reach the application logic.