CVE-2026-57961 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
phpMyFAQ before 4.1.5 contains a potential authenticated path traversal vulnerability in the concatenatePaths() function within src/phpMyFAQ/Export/Pdf/Wrapper.php. A user with FAQ editing privileges can store HTML containing crafted image paths that are processed during PDF generation. The path resolution logic locates the substring "content" within a user-controlled path using strpos(); when "content" is absent, strpos() returns false, which becomes 0 when cast to an integer, preserving the entire attacker-controlled path. This path is later passed to file_get_contents() without canonicalization or root-directory containment validation, which may allow reading of files outside the intended content directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in phpMyFAQ versions prior to 4.1.5 that stems from improper input validation within the concatenatePaths() function located in src/phpMyFAQ/Export/Pdf/Wrapper.php. The issue specifically affects authenticated users who possess FAQ editing privileges, creating an elevated risk scenario where malicious actors can manipulate file system access through crafted HTML content. The vulnerability manifests when user-controlled paths containing image references are processed during PDF generation, exploiting a fundamental flaw in the path resolution logic that relies on strpos() function behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a type coercion issue where the strpos() function returns boolean false when it cannot locate the substring "content" within a user-provided path. When this false value is cast to an integer during subsequent processing, it becomes the numeric value 0, effectively bypassing intended path validation mechanisms. This behavior creates a critical security gap because the system assumes that any path containing "content" should be properly validated, while paths lacking this substring are treated as valid candidates for file operations without proper sanitization. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, demonstrating how inadequate input validation can lead to unauthorized file access.
The operational impact of this authenticated path traversal vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers with editing privileges to potentially read arbitrary files from the server's file system. During PDF generation processes, when file_get_contents() is called with the attacker-controlled path, the lack of canonicalization and root-directory containment validation enables access to files outside the intended content directory. This could potentially expose sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk since it only requires authentication privileges rather than elevated system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have editing rights.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of user-provided paths before they are processed by file system operations. The fix must ensure that all user-controlled paths undergo canonicalization and are strictly validated against a predefined safe directory root. Security measures should include explicit path validation that prevents traversal beyond designated content directories, implementation of proper input sanitization routines, and enforcement of strict access controls for file system operations. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, limiting editing privileges to only those users who absolutely require them, while maintaining comprehensive logging of file system operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in path resolution logic as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, where input validation failures can lead to unauthorized access through indirect means.