CVE-2026-63043 in InLong
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in Apache InLong. Arbitrary file read from the Agent host filesystem.
This issue affects Apache InLong: from 2.0.0 before 2.4.0.
Users are advised to upgrade to Apache InLong's 2.4.0 or cherry-pick [1] to solve it.
[1] https://github.com/apache/inlong/pull/12146 .
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The vulnerability identified in Apache InLong versions ranging from 2.0.0 up to, but not including, version 2.4.0 represents a critical security flaw classified as an Arbitrary File Read through Relative Path Traversal. This type of vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass intended access controls and read sensitive files from the underlying host filesystem where the InLong Agent is deployed. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that dictates file paths within the application logic. When a request is processed, the system fails to properly normalize relative path components such as dot-dot sequences (..), which are standard indicators for moving up directory levels in Unix-like and Windows operating systems. Consequently, an attacker can craft specific requests containing these traversal characters to navigate outside of the intended web root or data directory structure.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability exploits the way the application constructs file paths dynamically based on external input without enforcing strict boundaries. By manipulating these relative paths, an adversary can access configuration files containing database credentials, private keys, or other sensitive operational data that should remain isolated from public-facing interfaces. This capability effectively neutralizes directory-based security controls designed to restrict user interaction to specific folders, thereby granting unauthorized read access to the broader file system of the host machine running the InLong Agent service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly in production environments where Apache InLong handles data ingestion and integration workflows. Successful exploitation can lead to a complete compromise of confidentiality for sensitive information stored on the server. Attackers could extract authentication tokens, API keys, or internal network configurations that facilitate further lateral movement within the organization's infrastructure. This initial access point serves as a foothold for more advanced attacks, potentially leading to data exfiltration or serving as a precursor to remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities such as insecure deserialization or template injection. The risk is amplified in cloud-native deployments where shared storage volumes might expose additional critical resources beyond the immediate application directory.
In terms of threat modeling and detection, this activity corresponds to techniques found within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under Tactic TA0001: Initial Access and Technique T1530: Data from Local System. Adversaries often utilize path traversal as a method for gathering intelligence during the reconnaissance phase or directly exfiltrating data in the collection phase. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect HTTP requests containing encoded dot-dot sequences, such as %2e%2e/ or ..\ depending on the operating system and web server configuration. Logs showing unusual file access patterns outside of expected application directories can also serve as indicators of compromise for this specific vulnerability class.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running affected versions must upgrade Apache InLong to version 2.4.0 or later immediately. This release incorporates patches that enforce stricter input validation and path normalization procedures before any filesystem operations are executed. For environments where an immediate upgrade is not feasible due to compatibility constraints, administrators should apply the specific cherry-picked patch referenced in pull request number 12146 from the Apache InLong GitHub repository. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall with rules designed to block relative path traversal attempts can provide a layer of defense-in-depth while migration efforts are underway. It is also recommended to review and harden file system permissions on the host machine so that even if an attacker gains read access via this vulnerability, they cannot retrieve highly sensitive files due to restrictive operating system-level access controls.