CVE-2026-97671 in Langflow OSS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
IBM Langflow OSS 1.0.0 through 1.12.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to a path traversal vulnerability.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The identified security flaw within IBM Langflow versions ranging from 1.0.0 through 1.12.2 represents a critical risk vector for organizations deploying this open-source framework, particularly in environments where the application is exposed to network-accessible authenticated users. This vulnerability stems from an improper restriction of file path access, commonly classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The core technical issue involves insufficient sanitization or validation of user-supplied input that dictates file system operations. When an attacker provides specially crafted directory traversal sequences, such as dot-dot-slash characters combined with encoded variations, the application fails to properly resolve these paths against its intended secure root directory. Instead, it interprets the maliciously constructed path literally, allowing the underlying operating system to access files located outside of the designated sandbox or working directory. This breakdown in input validation effectively bypasses the security boundaries established by the framework's architecture, granting the authenticated user elevated privileges regarding file system read operations that should otherwise be restricted.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a remote authenticated attacker to perform unauthorized information disclosure attacks with significant consequences for data integrity and confidentiality. By exploiting the path traversal mechanism, an adversary can navigate up through directory levels to access sensitive configuration files, environment variables containing API keys or database credentials, source code repositories, or other proprietary assets stored on the server hosting Langflow. The impact is not limited to static file reading; depending on how the application processes these retrieved paths further downstream, it could potentially lead to more severe outcomes such as remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities like template injection or deserialization flaws. However, even in its current state, the ability to exfiltrate sensitive configuration data compromises the entire security posture of the deployment. Attackers can leverage stolen credentials to pivot into internal networks, access external cloud services, or disrupt business operations by exposing intellectual property and operational secrets. This aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers File and Directory Discovery, as well as T1530 for Data from Local System, highlighting the systematic nature of this information gathering phase in an attack lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural hardening to prevent recurrence. The primary defense is to upgrade IBM Langflow to a version released after 1.12.2 where these path validation issues have been addressed by the development team through rigorous input sanitization and strict allow-listing of accessible directories. In scenarios where upgrading is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement compensating controls at the network or infrastructure level. This includes configuring web application firewalls to detect and block common directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests before they reach the application server. Additionally, enforcing least-privilege principles for the user account running the Langflow process ensures that even if a path traversal is successful, the operating system denies access to sensitive files outside of the allowed scope due to file permission restrictions. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools should be integrated into the development pipeline to identify similar input validation weaknesses early in the software lifecycle, ensuring robust protection against CWE-22 type vulnerabilities across all future releases.