CVE-2026-51862 in DB-GPT
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
DB-GPT 0.8.0 contains directory traversal in skill_upload (packages/dbgpt-app/src/dbgpt_app/openapi/api_v1/agentic_data_api.py:40). A remote attacker can use the validated exploitation path to write files outside the intended workspace or storage boundary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in DB-GPT version 0.8.0 represents a critical directory traversal flaw located within the skill_upload functionality, specifically at line forty of the agentic_data_api.py module under packages/dbgpt-app/src/dbgpt_app/openapi/api_v1/. This component is responsible for handling file uploads related to skills or agents within the application ecosystem. The core technical deficiency lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input during the file upload process. When a remote attacker submits a request containing a filename with directory traversal sequences, such as dot-dot-slash characters followed by absolute path components, the backend processing logic fails to properly normalize or restrict these paths before writing them to the filesystem. Consequently, instead of placing the uploaded artifact within the designated workspace or storage boundary intended for skill data, the application writes the file to an arbitrary location on the server's disk structure determined by the attacker-controlled input string.
This lack of path canonicalization allows a remote unauthenticated or authenticated attacker, depending on the specific access controls surrounding this endpoint, to write files outside the expected directory scope. The operational impact is severe as it enables unauthorized file system manipulation which can lead to several critical security compromises. An attacker could overwrite existing application configuration files, inject malicious scripts into web-accessible directories for remote code execution, or place backdoors in sensitive system locations. This capability effectively breaks the isolation boundaries of the multi-tenant or sandboxed environment that DB-GPT aims to provide, potentially leading to full server compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities such as arbitrary file read or insecure deserialization. The ability to write files anywhere on the filesystem undermines data integrity and confidentiality, allowing for persistent access mechanisms that are difficult to detect without rigorous monitoring of system logs and file permissions.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns directly with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which describes flaws where software does not properly neutralize special elements within a pathname that can cause the path to resolve to a location outside of the restricted directory. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploitation technique maps to ATT&CK T1083: File and Directory Discovery when used in conjunction with further enumeration, but more accurately falls under T1564: Host File System Attribute Modification or potentially T1105: Ingress Tool Transfer if the uploaded file is a malicious payload intended for execution. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental failure to implement secure coding practices regarding path handling, specifically neglecting to use absolute path resolution functions that strip relative navigation sequences before performing write operations.
Mitigation strategies must focus on strict input validation and robust path management within the application codebase. Developers should immediately patch the agentic_data_api.py module by implementing rigorous sanitization of all file upload inputs. This includes rejecting any filenames containing directory traversal characters or ensuring that the final resolved absolute path is strictly contained within a predefined, whitelisted base directory using canonicalization techniques provided by standard libraries rather than string manipulation alone. Additionally, employing least-privilege principles for the application process user can limit the damage if an exploit succeeds by restricting write permissions to only the necessary directories. Implementing file type validation and ensuring that uploaded files are stored in isolated, non-executable storage buckets further reduces the risk of remote code execution resulting from this traversal flaw. Regular security audits and static analysis tools configured to detect CWE-22 patterns should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar issues in future releases.