CVE-2025-12923 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in liweiyi ChestnutCMS versions 1.5.0 through 1.5.8, specifically in the resourceDownload function accessed via the /dev-api/common/download endpoint. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of the 'path' parameter, which an attacker can manipulate to traverse directories and access files outside the intended directory scope. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files on the server. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no user interaction (UI:N), but does require high privileges (PR:H), indicating that the attacker must have some elevated access to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (VC:L) but does not affect integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the likelihood of future exploitation. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation efforts. The vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on ChestnutCMS for content management, especially where sensitive data is stored or processed.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, potentially exposing confidential business information, user data, or configuration files that could facilitate further attacks. This could result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that use ChestnutCMS are particularly at risk. The requirement for high privileges to exploit the vulnerability somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially if internal threat actors or compromised accounts exist. The medium severity rating reflects moderate risk; however, the potential for escalation or lateral movement post-exploitation could amplify impact.

1. Immediately audit all instances of ChestnutCMS to identify affected versions (1.5.0 to 1.5.8). 2. Apply vendor patches as soon as they become available; if no patches exist, implement virtual patching via web application firewalls (WAF) to block suspicious path traversal patterns in the 'path' parameter. 3. Restrict access to the /dev-api/common/download endpoint to trusted and authenticated users only, enforcing the principle of least privilege. 4. Conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure no unnecessary high privilege accounts exist that could exploit this vulnerability. 5. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to manipulate the 'path' parameter. 6. Employ network segmentation to limit exposure of CMS servers. 7. Educate internal teams about the vulnerability and the importance of credential security to prevent privilege escalation. 8. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect and block exploitation attempts in real time.