CVE-2023-38956 in BioAccess IVS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2023
A path traversal vulnerability in ZKTeco BioAccess IVS v3.3.1 allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files via supplying a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-38956 represents a critical path traversal flaw in ZKTeco BioAccess IVS version 3.3.1, a biometric access control system widely deployed in enterprise and industrial environments. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the system's file handling mechanisms, specifically in how the software processes user-supplied file paths. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the underlying operating system through carefully crafted malicious requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper path sanitization in the application's file access routines. When an attacker submits a malicious payload containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the system fails to adequately validate or normalize these paths before processing. This allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files outside the application's designated file scope. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the affected system's network interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations relying on ZKTeco BioAccess IVS for security infrastructure. Attackers could potentially extract configuration files containing sensitive authentication credentials, system logs, biometric templates, or other confidential data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the vulnerability could enable further exploitation through the acquisition of system-level information that might reveal additional attack vectors or system weaknesses. The lack of authentication requirements means that this vulnerability could be exploited at scale across multiple systems without prior access to valid credentials.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to restrict access to the affected system and deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor's official patch or upgrade to a version that addresses the path traversal vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, enforcing strict file access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of deployed biometric systems are essential measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows patterns commonly associated with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing. The threat landscape surrounding such vulnerabilities is particularly concerning given the increasing adoption of biometric systems in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant security breaches and operational disruptions.