CVE-2023-52085

Workarounds

Apply https://github.com/wintercms/winter/commit/5bc9257fe2bc47d8b786a1b1bf96bafad23d8ddd manually if unable to upgrade to v1.2.4.

Users with access to backend forms that include a ColorPicker FormWidget can provide a value that would then be included without further processing in the compilation of custom stylesheets via LESS. This had the potential to lead to a Local File Inclusion vulnerability.

By default, only the Brand Settings (backend.manage_branding) and Mail Brand Settings (system.manage_mail_templates) forms both include the colorpicker formwidget and pass the provided value to be compiled in LESS, however it is also common for themes to include it on their Theme Customization (cms.manage_theme_options) form and it is technically possible for the values on that form to also be used in LESS compilation: https://wintercms.com/docs/v1.2/docs/themes/development#asset-compiler-variables.

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-2023-52085 has a CVSS score of 3.3 (Low). 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 (1.2.4); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

This issue has been patched in v1.2.4.

1. What is CVE-2023-52085? CVE-2023-52085 is a low-severity path traversal vulnerability in winter/wn-backend-module (composer), affecting versions < 1.2.4. It is fixed in 1.2.4. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
2. How severe is CVE-2023-52085? CVE-2023-52085 has a CVSS score of 3.3 (Low). 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.
3. Which versions of winter/wn-backend-module are affected by CVE-2023-52085? winter/wn-backend-module (composer) versions < 1.2.4 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2023-52085? Yes. CVE-2023-52085 is fixed in 1.2.4. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2023-52085 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-52085 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
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2023-52085 is exploitable, and how bad it is? 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.
7. How do I fix CVE-2023-52085? Upgrade winter/wn-backend-module to 1.2.4 or later.