CVE-2024-46987

A path traversal vulnerability accessible via MediaController's download_private_file method allows authenticated users to download any file on the web server Camaleon CMS is running on (depending on the file permissions).

In the download_private_file method:

def download_private_file
  cama_uploader.enable_private_mode!

  file = cama_uploader.fetch_file("private/#{params[:file]}")

  send_file file, disposition: 'inline'
end

The file parameter is passed to the fetch_file method of the CamaleonCmsLocalUploader class (when files are uploaded locally):

def fetch_file(file_name)
  raise ActionController::RoutingError, 'File not found' unless file_exists?(file_name)

  file_name
end

If the file exists it's passed back to the download_private_file method where the file is sent to the user via send_file.

Proof of concept
An authenticated user can download the /etc/passwd file by visiting an URL such as:

https:///admin/media/download_private_file?file=../../../../../../etc/passwd
Impact
This issue may lead to Information Disclosure.

Remediation
Normalize file paths constructed from untrusted user input before using them and check that the resulting path is inside the targeted directory. Additionally, do not allow character sequences such as .. in untrusted input that is used to build paths.

See also:

CodeQL: Uncontrolled data used in path expression
OWASP: Path Traversal

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-2024-46987 has a CVSS score of 6.5 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low 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 (2.8.1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1. What is CVE-2024-46987? CVE-2024-46987 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in camaleon_cms (rubygems), affecting versions < 2.8.1. It is fixed in 2.8.1. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
2. How severe is CVE-2024-46987? CVE-2024-46987 has a CVSS score of 6.5 (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 camaleon_cms are affected by CVE-2024-46987? camaleon_cms (rubygems) versions < 2.8.1 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2024-46987? Yes. CVE-2024-46987 is fixed in 2.8.1. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2024-46987 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-46987 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-2024-46987 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-2024-46987? Upgrade camaleon_cms to 2.8.1 or later.