CVE-2025-11023: AcBakImzala Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-11023 Overview

CVE-2025-11023 is a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability affecting ArkSigner Software and Hardware Inc.'s AcBakImzala application. This vulnerability stems from the improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include functionality from untrusted control spheres. The flaw enables PHP Local File Inclusion attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files, remote code execution, and complete system compromise.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to include arbitrary files via network-accessible vectors, potentially resulting in complete system compromise with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Products

• AcBakImzala versions prior to v5.1.4
• ArkSigner Software and Hardware Inc. AcBakImzala digital signature solutions

Discovery Timeline

• October 23, 2025 - CVE-2025-11023 published to NVD
• October 27, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11023

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The flaw exists because the AcBakImzala application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() statements.

When an application dynamically constructs file paths for inclusion based on user input without adequate validation, attackers can manipulate these parameters to include arbitrary files. In this case, the vulnerability allows PHP Local File Inclusion, which can be leveraged to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or escalate to remote code execution through techniques such as log poisoning or PHP wrapper exploitation.

The network-accessible attack vector means exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for internet-facing deployments of the AcBakImzala application.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-11023 lies in insufficient input validation within the AcBakImzala application's file inclusion mechanisms. The application accepts user-controlled input that directly influences the filename or path passed to PHP's file inclusion functions without proper sanitization or whitelisting of allowed files.

This design flaw allows attackers to traverse directory structures using path manipulation techniques (e.g., ../) or specify arbitrary file paths, ultimately including files outside the intended scope of the application.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing manipulated file path parameters to exploit the vulnerable include/require statements.

Typical exploitation scenarios include:

• Directory traversal attacks - Using sequences like ../ to navigate to sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd or application configuration files
• PHP wrapper abuse - Leveraging PHP stream wrappers like php://filter to encode and exfiltrate file contents
• Log file poisoning - Injecting PHP code into log files, then including those logs to achieve code execution
• Session file inclusion - Including PHP session files containing attacker-controlled data

The vulnerability mechanism involves unsanitized user input being passed directly to PHP file inclusion functions. For detailed technical information, refer to the USOM Notification TR-25-0356.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11023

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) in GET or POST parameters
• Requests attempting to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, configuration files, or log files
• Unusual file access patterns in web server logs showing attempts to include files outside the web root
• PHP wrapper patterns in request parameters such as php://filter, php://input, or data://

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns and PHP wrapper abuse attempts
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical system and application configuration files
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on LFI/RFI attack signatures in HTTP traffic
• Review web server access logs for suspicious file inclusion attempts targeting system files

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the AcBakImzala application to capture all file inclusion operations
• Monitor for anomalous PHP process behavior including unexpected file read operations
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive directories outside the application's normal scope
• Implement network traffic analysis to identify potential data exfiltration following successful exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11023

Immediate Actions Required

• Update AcBakImzala to version v5.1.4 or later immediately
• Implement input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters used in file operations
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically targeting LFI/RFI attacks
• Review application logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

ArkSigner Software and Hardware Inc. has addressed this vulnerability in AcBakImzala version v5.1.4. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize updating to the patched release. For additional guidance, refer to the USOM Notification TR-25-0356 for official advisory information.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to the AcBakImzala application using firewall rules until patching is complete
• Implement strict input validation at the web server or reverse proxy level to filter path traversal patterns
• Configure PHP's open_basedir directive to restrict file inclusion to specific directories
• Disable dangerous PHP functions such as include() and require() if not required, or implement a whitelist approach for allowed include paths

# PHP configuration hardening (php.ini)
# Restrict file operations to specific directories
open_basedir = /var/www/acbakimzala:/tmp

# Disable URL file inclusion
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off

# Apache ModSecurity rule example for LFI protection
# SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS "@rx \.\./" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt'"