CVE-2026-101070 in dbgate
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2026
A security vulnerability has been detected in dbgate up to 7.3.1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function files of the file packages/api/src/controllers/runners.js of the component Files Endpoint. The manipulation of the argument runid leads to path traversal. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. 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 the Files Endpoint component, specifically located in the file packages/api/src/controllers/runners.js. This issue stems from improper validation of user-supplied input passed through the runid argument. When an attacker manipulates this parameter, they can exploit insufficient sanitization mechanisms to perform path traversal attacks. Path traversal vulnerabilities occur when software fails to properly neutralize special elements within a string that could change how file or directory names are interpreted by the operating system. In this context, the application likely concatenates user input directly into file paths without adequately checking for sequences such as dot-dot-slash (../) which allow navigation up the directory tree beyond the intended scope.
This technical flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to read arbitrary files from the server hosting dbGate or potentially write malicious content if write permissions are misconfigured. The impact of this vulnerability is severe because it compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the system's file structure. An adversary could access sensitive configuration files, source code containing hardcoded credentials, database connection strings, or other critical data stored on the disk. Given that the exploit has been publicly disclosed, automated scanning tools and malicious actors are likely already leveraging this weakness to target exposed instances. The lack of a vendor response since early contact indicates that users relying on default configurations may remain unprotected until they manually apply mitigations or upgrade once a patch is released.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal. It also relates to CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command if the file operations involve command execution, though primarily it is classified under input validation failures leading to unauthorized access. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploit falls under T1083: File and Directory Discovery or potentially T1564: Hidden Files and Directories depending on how the attacker utilizes the traversed paths for further reconnaissance or persistence. The remote nature of the attack means it can be exploited over a network without requiring prior access to the system, significantly increasing its risk profile.
To mitigate this vulnerability immediately, organizations should restrict public internet exposure of dbGate instances until an official patch is available. Implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block path traversal sequences in URL parameters or POST bodies can provide a layer of defense-in-depth. Additionally, ensuring that the service runs under a restricted user account with minimal file system permissions limits the potential damage even if exploitation occurs. Administrators should also audit the runid parameter handling logic within the runners.js controller to enforce strict allow-listing of expected input formats rather than relying on blocklists for malicious characters. Regular monitoring of access logs for unusual directory traversal attempts is recommended to detect ongoing exploitation activities in real-time.