CVE-2023-54407 in Frappe
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Frappe 14.x before 14.45.0 contains an information disclosure vulnerability that allows users with error log access to view secrets stored in local variables captured in tracebacks. Attackers who can read error logs can extract plaintext secrets such as credentials or keys exposed in traceback local variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified vulnerability within Frappe versions prior to 14.45.0 represents a critical information disclosure flaw rooted in the framework's default error handling and logging mechanisms. This security issue specifically targets systems where users possess access privileges to view application error logs, which is a common requirement for system administrators or developers tasked with debugging production issues. The core technical deficiency lies in how Python tracebacks are serialized into log entries when an exception occurs within the Frappe framework. By default, many web frameworks and their underlying languages capture not only the stack trace but also the local variables present at each frame of execution to aid in diagnostics. In this specific instance, these captured local variables are written directly to the error logs without any sanitization or filtering process designed to identify sensitive data patterns such as passwords, API keys, session tokens, or encryption secrets.
From a technical perspective, when an unhandled exception is raised during request processing, Python generates a traceback object that includes references to all local variables in scope at each level of the call stack. If these variables contain plaintext credentials or other high-value secrets, they are rendered as strings within the log output. Because Frappe 14.x versions prior to patch release 14.45.0 do not implement a mechanism to mask or exclude sensitive variable names and values from this logging process, any entity with read access to these logs can extract them directly. This creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation or further compromise if the attacker already has low-level access to view error outputs, such as through log aggregation tools like ELK Stack, Splunk, or simple file system permissions on the server hosting the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential to lead to full account takeover and data breach scenarios. An adversary who can read these logs does not need to exploit a complex injection flaw; they merely need to trigger an error condition that exposes secrets in local variables, or wait for existing errors to be logged over time. Once extracted, the plaintext credentials can be used to authenticate into administrative panels, access databases directly via stored connection strings, or utilize API keys to interact with external services on behalf of the compromised application. This undermines the confidentiality integrity and availability pillars of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized actors to bypass authentication controls that were intended to protect sensitive resources. The risk is exacerbated in environments where log retention policies are long-term or logs are centralized for monitoring purposes, increasing the window of exposure and the number of potential attackers who might access these records.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209: Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information, which classifies flaws where error messages reveal internal implementation details that could be exploited by an attacker. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1530: Data from Cloud Storage Object or Log Aggregation Systems if the logs are stored in cloud-based logging services, and generally falls under Initial Access techniques involving valid accounts with log viewing privileges. To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade Frappe to version 14.45.0 or later, where the framework likely implements stricter filtering of sensitive data from traceback outputs. In addition to upgrading, administrators should audit their logging configurations to ensure that debug-level logs are not enabled in production environments unless absolutely necessary and strictly controlled. Implementing log rotation policies with restricted access permissions ensures that even if verbose logging occurs inadvertently, only authorized personnel can view the contents. Furthermore, adopting a principle of least privilege for log aggregation tools prevents broad groups from accessing raw error traces containing potential secrets.