CVE-2026-59542 in Kali Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
Subscriber Arbitrary File Deletion in Kali Forms <= 2.4.18 versions.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
The vulnerability identified in Kali Forms versions 2.4.18 and earlier represents a critical arbitrary file deletion flaw that fundamentally undermines the security posture of web applications relying on this form management system. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms within the application's file handling routines, allowing authenticated users to potentially delete arbitrary files on the server filesystem through maliciously crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper authorization checks and path traversal validation in the file deletion endpoints. When users submit form data containing file references or deletion commands, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requested file operations fall within the legitimate scope of user permissions. This flaw aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, as it permits attackers to manipulate file paths and execute unauthorized deletion operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations using Kali Forms to significant risks including data loss, system compromise, and potential service disruption. An attacker with valid user credentials could leverage this flaw to delete critical application files, configuration data, or even system binaries that would render the application nonfunctional. The implications extend beyond immediate file deletion as this vulnerability may enable further exploitation pathways leading to complete system compromise through cascading attacks.
The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Kali Forms serves as a form management solution for various web applications where users might have legitimate access to submit data but should not possess administrative privileges over the underlying filesystem. This creates a scenario where any authenticated user could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access controls.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions of Kali Forms that have addressed this vulnerability through proper input validation and access control enforcement. Additionally, implementing robust file access controls, sanitizing all user inputs before processing, and establishing proper logging mechanisms for file operations would significantly reduce the attack surface. Security practitioners should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file deletion patterns as part of their defensive posture against this class of vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling user-submitted data. The weakness essentially allows for privilege escalation through file system manipulation, which can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their form management systems and ensure that all third-party components undergo rigorous security review processes before deployment.
The remediation process requires careful attention to the specific implementation details of how file operations are handled within the application. Developers must implement strict validation of file paths, enforce proper user permissions for file operations, and establish comprehensive logging mechanisms to track all file access and modification activities. This includes implementing proper error handling that does not reveal sensitive system information and ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories.
Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through log analysis, network traffic inspection, and endpoint monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized file deletion attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1485 Data Destruction, highlighting the potential for both system compromise and data loss consequences. Regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related systems and applications that might present analogous attack vectors.
Organizations relying on Kali Forms must also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, file integrity monitoring solutions, and regular backup procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle and proper security architecture review processes that can identify potential weaknesses before they are exploited in production environments.