CVE-2023-40028 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in ghost (npm), affecting versions < 5.59.1. It is fixed in 5.59.1.
Impact A vulnerability in Ghost allows authenticated users to upload files which are symlinks. This can be exploited to perform an arbitrary file read of any file on the operating system. Site administrators can check for exploitation of this issue by looking for unknown symlinks within Ghost's content/ folder Vulnerable versions This security vulnerability is present in Ghost ≤ v5.59.0. Patches v5.59.1 contains a fix for this issue. For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: Email us at [email protected]
Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files. Typical impact: unauthorized file read or write outside the intended directory.
CVE-2023-40028 has a CVSS score of 4.9 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, high privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment.
A fixed version is available (5.59.1). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
npm
ghost (< 5.59.1)ghost → 5.59.1 (npm)Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter instead of chasing every advisory.
Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether CVE-2023-40028 is reachable in your applications. Explore open-source security for your team.
See if CVE-2023-40028 is reachable in your applications. Get a demo
Already deployed Kodem? See CVE-2023-40028 in your environment →Upgrade ghost to 5.59.1 or later to resolve this vulnerability.
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
CVE-2023-40028 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in ghost (npm), affecting versions < 5.59.1. It is fixed in 5.59.1. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
CVE-2023-40028 has a CVSS score of 4.9 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
ghost (npm) versions < 5.59.1 is affected.
Yes. CVE-2023-40028 is fixed in 5.59.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2023-40028 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
Upgrade ghost to 5.59.1 or later.