CVE-2024-27081

Security misconfiguration in edit configuration file API in dashboard component of ESPHome version 2023.12.9 (command line installation) allows authenticated remote attackers to read and write arbitrary files under the configuration directory rendering remote code execution possible.

Details

It is possible to abuse this path traversal vulnerability both in command line installation and Home Assistant add-on, but it is possible to read and write files only under the configuration directory.

The vulnerability is present and exploitable in the command line installation, but it was not possible to confirm an impact in the home assistant add-on version.

PoC

Credits

Spike Reply Cybersecurity Team

The issue gives read and write access to files under the configuration directory and allows malicious users to write arbitrary code in python scripts executed during the compilation and flashing of firmwares for ESP boards.

If chained with GHSA-9p43-hj5j-96h5 and GHSA-5925-88xh-6h99, this issue could allow an unauthenticated remote user to gain remote code execution on the machine hosting the dashboard.

It also allows accessing sensitive information such as esphome.json and board firmware source code allowing a user to modify the board firmware, and leaking secrets such as: WiFi network credentials, fallback hotspot WiFi credentials, OTA component authentication password and API encryption key.

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-2024-27081 has a CVSS score of 7.2 (High). 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 (2024.2.1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1. What is CVE-2024-27081? CVE-2024-27081 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in esphome (pip), affecting versions = 2023.12.9. It is fixed in 2024.2.1. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
2. How severe is CVE-2024-27081? CVE-2024-27081 has a CVSS score of 7.2 (High). 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 esphome are affected by CVE-2024-27081? esphome (pip) versions = 2023.12.9 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2024-27081? Yes. CVE-2024-27081 is fixed in 2024.2.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2024-27081 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-27081 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-2024-27081 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-2024-27081? Upgrade esphome to 2024.2.1 or later.