CVE-2026-101069 in dbgate
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2026
A weakness has been identified in dbgate up to 7.3.1. Affected is the function exportModelSql of the file packages/api/src/controllers/databaseConnections.js of the component Export Handler. Executing a manipulation of the argument outputFile can lead to path traversal. The attack can be executed remotely. The exploit has been made available to the public and could be used for attacks. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2026
The vulnerability identified in dbGate versions up to 7.3.1 represents a critical security flaw within its database connection management subsystem, specifically located in the exportModelSql function found in the packages/api/src/controllers/databaseConnections.js file of the Export Handler component. This weakness stems from an improper validation and sanitization of user-supplied input, particularly regarding the outputFile argument passed to this function. When a remote attacker provides a manipulated value for this parameter, they can exploit insufficient path traversal protections embedded within the application logic. The core technical failure lies in the system's inability to properly canonicalize or restrict file paths based on allowed directories, allowing an adversary to use directory traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash (../) to break out of the intended sandboxed export location and write files to arbitrary locations on the underlying operating system filesystem.
This path traversal vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which highlights the failure to enforce strict boundaries around file access operations. From an offensive security perspective, this flaw aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083: File and Directory Discovery or more critically T1564: Hidden Files and Directories if used for persistence, but primarily it facilitates Arbitrary File Write (CWE-94) when combined with sufficient privileges. The severity of this issue is significantly amplified by the fact that the attack vector is remote, meaning an unauthenticated attacker can potentially trigger this flaw over a network connection without requiring prior access to the application interface or valid credentials for other system functions. This characteristic makes it particularly dangerous in environments where dbGate exposes its API endpoints publicly or within trusted networks that lack strict ingress filtering.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. By successfully writing files to arbitrary locations, an attacker could overwrite critical configuration files, inject malicious scripts into web-accessible directories for remote code execution, or plant backdoors in system-level paths depending on the privileges under which the dbGate process runs. If the application operates with elevated permissions, such as root or administrator rights, the consequences escalate from data integrity compromise to complete host takeover. The availability of public exploits further lowers the barrier to entry for malicious actors, increasing the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts against vulnerable instances. This situation is compounded by the vendor's lack of response to early disclosure efforts, leaving users without official patches or guidance on how to mitigate the risk effectively through code updates alone.
To address this vulnerability in the absence of a vendor-provided patch, organizations must implement immediate compensating controls at both the network and application levels. Network-level mitigation involves restricting access to the dbGate API endpoints using firewalls or reverse proxies that enforce strict IP whitelisting, ensuring only authorized administrators can interact with export functionalities. Application-layer defenses should include implementing robust input validation on all file path parameters, enforcing allowlists for permitted characters in filenames, and utilizing chroot jails or containerization strategies to limit filesystem access scope. Additionally, running the dbGate service under a dedicated low-privilege user account minimizes the potential damage if an exploitation attempt succeeds. Regular monitoring of system logs for unusual file creation patterns near sensitive directories can also aid in early detection of attempted path traversal attacks until a permanent software update is released by the vendor or community maintainers.