CVE-2023-53691 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-24 affecting Hikvision's CSMP iSecure Center, a comprehensive security management platform. The vulnerability exists in the file upload functionality exposed at the /center/api/files endpoint, where insufficient validation of file paths allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (e.g., '../filedir') to escape the intended upload directory. This flaw permits remote, unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files to arbitrary locations on the server's filesystem. The consequences include potential unauthorized access to sensitive files, modification or replacement of critical application files, and the possibility of executing malicious code if uploaded files are executed by the system. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.3, indicating high severity due to network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and a scope change affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no official patches or exploit code links are currently provided, the vulnerability has been reportedly exploited in the wild during 2024 and 2025, underscoring its real-world risk. The affected product is widely used in security monitoring and management, making this vulnerability particularly impactful for organizations relying on Hikvision's platform for surveillance and security operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-53691 can be severe. The ability to upload arbitrary files without authentication can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, tampering with security configurations, and potential full system compromise if attackers upload and execute malicious payloads. This risk is amplified in critical infrastructure sectors such as transportation, energy, and public safety, where Hikvision products are often deployed for surveillance and security management. Disruption or compromise of these systems could lead to operational downtime, data breaches, and erosion of trust in security services. Additionally, regulatory compliance risks arise under GDPR and other data protection laws if personal or sensitive data is exposed or manipulated. The vulnerability’s network-exploitable nature means attackers can launch attacks remotely, increasing the threat landscape for organizations with internet-facing or poorly segmented internal networks.

Organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Apply vendor-supplied patches immediately once available to fix the path traversal validation flaw. 2) Until patches are deployed, restrict access to the /center/api/files endpoint using network segmentation, firewalls, and access control lists to limit exposure to trusted internal IPs only. 3) Implement strict input validation and monitoring on file upload endpoints to detect and block directory traversal patterns. 4) Conduct regular security audits and file integrity monitoring on servers running CSMP iSecure Center to detect unauthorized file changes. 5) Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 6) Educate security teams to recognize indicators of compromise related to arbitrary file uploads and to respond swiftly to suspicious activity. 7) Review and harden server permissions to minimize the impact of any successful file upload, ensuring that uploaded files cannot be executed or accessed by unauthorized processes.