CVE-2023-39138 in ZIPFoundation
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
An issue in ZIPFoundation v0.9.16 allows attackers to execute a path traversal via extracting a crafted zip file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39138 resides within the ZIPFoundation library version 0.9.16, representing a critical path traversal flaw that enables attackers to manipulate file extraction operations. This issue specifically affects applications that utilize the ZIPFoundation library for handling archive extraction processes, creating potential security risks when processing untrusted zip files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file paths during the extraction process, allowing malicious actors to craft zip archives containing specially formatted entries that can escape the intended extraction directory.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the manipulation of relative path references within zip file entries, particularly leveraging directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that are commonly used to navigate up directory hierarchies. When the ZIPFoundation library processes these crafted entries, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the target paths, permitting the extraction of files to locations outside the designated extraction directory. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in arbitrary file system modifications, potentially leading to sensitive data exposure, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects the archive processing functionality within the library.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations that rely on ZIPFoundation for file processing workflows, particularly in environments where untrusted zip files are handled. Attackers can exploit this weakness to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into the file system, or access sensitive data stored in directories outside the intended extraction scope. The impact extends beyond simple file manipulation as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments with poor input validation practices.
Organizations should immediately update to ZIPFoundation version 0.9.17 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the path traversal vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for all zip file processing operations can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security practitioners should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing the vulnerable library version and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage path traversal to execute malicious code through file system manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and file system access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.