CVE-2026-114399 in Trudesk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Trudesk through 1.2.11 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows administrators to delete arbitrary files by supplying encoded traversal sequences to DELETE /api/v1/backup/:backup. Attackers can also pass unvalidated file values to POST /api/v1/backup/restore to restore archives from, or extract to, paths outside the intended directories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified in Trudesk versions through 1.2.11 represents a critical failure in input validation and path canonicalization within its backup management subsystems. This flaw manifests as a directory traversal issue that permits unauthorized file system manipulation by authenticated administrators, although the potential for escalation to arbitrary code execution or complete server compromise exists depending on the context of the application's deployment and permissions. The core technical deficiency lies in how the backend processes user-supplied filenames during archive restoration and deletion operations. Instead of strictly validating that the provided path resides within a designated safe directory, the application accepts encoded traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash or their URL-encoded equivalents without proper sanitization. This allows an attacker to manipulate file pointers to reference locations outside the intended backup storage area, effectively bypassing access controls designed to isolate user data and system files.
In the context of the DELETE endpoint for backups, specifically /api/v1/backup/:backup, the vulnerability enables the deletion of arbitrary files on the host operating system. By injecting path traversal characters into the backup identifier parameter, an attacker can direct the file removal operation toward sensitive configuration files, database dumps, or other critical assets located in parent directories relative to the application's working directory. This capability undermines data integrity and availability, as essential components required for the Trudesk service to function correctly can be permanently removed. The impact extends beyond mere denial of service; if an attacker targets specific system binaries or configuration files that control authentication mechanisms, they could potentially lock out legitimate administrators or destabilize the underlying infrastructure hosting the ticketing platform.
The POST endpoint at /api/v1/backup/restore presents a more severe risk profile due to its ability to write data back into the file system. When restoring archives from unvalidated sources, the application fails to restrict extraction paths to the intended backup directory. This allows an attacker to specify output locations outside the sandboxed environment, potentially overwriting existing files or creating new executable scripts in directories with higher privilege levels. If the web server process runs with sufficient permissions, this mechanism can be exploited for remote code execution by placing a malicious script into a location that is subsequently executed by the application or another service. This aligns closely with CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection), highlighting the severity of unchecked path manipulation in server-side applications.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability facilitates actions consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery when used for reconnaissance, but more critically it enables T1565 Data Manipulation through file deletion or modification. The ability to restore archives from arbitrary paths also touches upon supply chain integrity concerns if combined with other vulnerabilities that allow the upload of malicious archive files. For organizations relying on Trudesk for IT service management, this flaw poses a direct threat to confidentiality and availability. It is imperative to recognize that even though administrative privileges are required to trigger these endpoints, insider threats or compromised admin accounts can leverage this weakness to cause significant damage without needing external network access if the attacker already has foothold within the internal network.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching of Trudesk to version 1.2.12 or later where these input validation checks have been corrected by the vendor. Until patches are applied, administrators should implement strict web application firewall rules that detect and block common path traversal patterns in API requests targeting backup endpoints. Additionally, enforcing principle of least privilege for the user account running the Trudesk process is crucial; this service should operate with minimal file system permissions, restricted specifically to its own data directories and unable to write or delete files outside those boundaries. Regular auditing of application logs for unusual HTTP methods combined with encoded slash sequences can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Furthermore, disabling unnecessary API endpoints if they are not actively used reduces the attack surface available to potential adversaries seeking to exploit this traversal flaw.