CVE-2025-11941 Overview
CVE-2025-11941 is a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] in e107 CMS versions up to 2.3.3. The flaw resides in the Avatar Handler component, specifically in /e107_admin/image.php?mode=main&action=avatar. Attackers can manipulate the multiaction[] parameter to traverse the file system outside the intended directory. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely and requires low-privilege authentication. Public exploit details are available, and the vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts.
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can leverage the multiaction[] parameter to perform path traversal operations against the Avatar Handler, affecting integrity and availability of files outside the avatar directory.
Affected Products
- e107 CMS versions up to and including 2.3.3
- e107 Admin component: /e107_admin/image.php (Avatar Handler)
- Deployments exposing the admin interface to remote authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-19 - CVE-2025-11941 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-11941
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability affects the Avatar Handler in e107 CMS, a PHP-based open-source content management system. The endpoint /e107_admin/image.php?mode=main&action=avatar processes the multiaction[] array parameter without adequate sanitization of path components. An authenticated attacker can submit crafted values containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ to reference files outside the intended avatar storage directory.
The weakness is classified under [CWE-22] Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. Exploitation requires network access and low-privilege credentials, with no user interaction needed. The impact is limited to partial integrity and availability effects, as reflected in the CVSS 4.0 base metrics provided by NVD. The EPSS data indicates a moderate likelihood of exploitation activity in the wild relative to other published CVEs.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input validation on the multiaction[] parameter inside the avatar management logic. The handler accepts file or path identifiers from the request and uses them in file system operations without canonicalizing the path or restricting it to the avatar directory. This allows attacker-controlled values to escape the intended directory boundary.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user with access to the admin avatar interface sends a POST or GET request to /e107_admin/image.php?mode=main&action=avatar. The attacker injects directory traversal sequences into one or more elements of the multiaction[] array. When the handler processes the request, the traversal sequences resolve to file paths outside the avatar directory, enabling unauthorized file operations. The public proof of concept is available on the HxLab PoC Share and indexed in VulDB #329020.
No verified exploit code is republished here. Refer to the linked references for technical reproduction steps.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11941
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /e107_admin/image.php containing mode=main&action=avatar with multiaction[] parameters that include ../, ..\, or URL-encoded equivalents such as %2e%2e%2f.
- Web server logs showing access to the avatar admin endpoint from accounts that do not normally manage user avatars.
- File system access events targeting paths outside the configured e107 avatar directory originating from the PHP worker process.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and application logs for multiaction[] parameter values containing traversal sequences or unexpected absolute paths.
- Deploy WAF rules that flag directory traversal patterns in POST bodies targeting the e107 admin path.
- Correlate authenticated admin sessions with abnormal file read or delete operations performed by the PHP runtime.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose access logging on the e107 admin interface and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and review.
- Monitor for new or modified files outside the avatar directory tree owned by the web server user.
- Alert on repeated requests to image.php with non-standard parameter structures or large multiaction[] arrays.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11941
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the /e107_admin/ directory through IP allow-listing or VPN-only access until a patch is available.
- Audit existing administrative accounts and remove or downgrade privileges for users that do not need avatar management.
- Review web server and file system logs for prior exploitation indicators against image.php.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the NVD entry at the time of publication. The advisory notes that the vendor was contacted but did not respond. Monitor the e107 project repository and the VulDB entry #329020 for updates on a fixed release beyond version 2.3.3.
Workarounds
- Apply a web application firewall rule to block requests to /e107_admin/image.php where multiaction[] values contain .., null bytes, or absolute path prefixes.
- Set strict file system permissions so the PHP worker cannot write to or delete files outside the e107 media directories.
- Disable the avatar management feature if it is not required in your deployment, or limit the admin endpoint to a single hardened administrator account.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
