CVE-2025-11031 in DataTables
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2025
A flaw has been found in DataTables up to 1.10.13. The affected element is an unknown function of the file /examples/resources/examples.php. This manipulation of the argument src causes path traversal. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been published and may be used. Upgrading to version 1.10.15 is sufficient to fix this issue. Patch name: 3b24f99ac4ddb7f9072076b0d07f0b1a408f177a. Upgrading the affected component is advised. This vulnerability was initially reported for code-projects Faculty Management System but appears to affect DataTables as an upstream component instead. The vendor of DataTables explains: "I would suggest that the author upgrade to the latest versions of DataTables (actually, they shouldn't really be deploying that file to their own server at all - it is only relevant for the DataTables examples)."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-11031 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the DataTables library version 1.10.13 and earlier. This security issue manifests through an unknown function within the /examples/resources/examples.php file where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the src argument parameter. The flaw enables remote exploitation through crafted malicious input that can traverse directory structures and potentially access sensitive files on the server. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be initiated remotely without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it highly exploitable in production environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the examples.php file. When the src parameter is processed through the affected function, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to inject malicious path sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. The exploitation of this flaw can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources that should remain protected. The fact that this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild, as indicated by the published exploit code, underscores the urgency of addressing this security gap. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this path traversal capability to gather information about the target system or to establish persistence through access to system files.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more severe attacks including arbitrary code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise. Organizations deploying DataTables version 1.10.13 or earlier are at significant risk, particularly when the examples.php file is accessible from the web root or when the application does not properly restrict access to these example files. The vulnerability affects not only the DataTables library directly but also any downstream applications that may be using this vulnerable version, including the code-projects Faculty Management System mentioned in the advisory. The vendor's recommendation to upgrade to version 1.10.15 is crucial as this release contains the necessary patch that addresses the input validation issue. The specific patch identifier 3b24f99ac4ddb7f9072076b0d07f0b1a408f177a represents the commit that resolves the path traversal vulnerability by implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, the vendor's statement that the examples.php file should not be deployed to production servers highlights the importance of proper application hardening and configuration management practices. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and following security best practices such as principle of least privilege and proper input validation to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigation strategy includes immediate upgrading to DataTables 1.10.15 or later, followed by removal of the examples.php file from production environments, and implementation of proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to example files.