CVE-2025-14521 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in the baowzh hfly product, affecting versions up to commit 638ff9abe9078bc977c132b37acbe1900b63491c. The vulnerability resides in an unspecified function within the /admin/index.php/datafile/download script, where the filename argument is insufficiently sanitized. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that traverses directories on the server filesystem, potentially accessing sensitive files outside the intended directory scope. The attack vector is remote network access with no user interaction required, and only low privileges are needed to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but the vendor has not issued any patches or advisories, likely due to the product's rolling release system which continuously delivers updates without fixed versioning. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and low impact on confidentiality (VC:L), with no impact on integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public disclosure and available exploit code increase the risk of exploitation. The lack of vendor response and patch availability means organizations must rely on mitigation and monitoring until an official fix is released.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files, including configuration files, credentials, or proprietary data stored on servers running baowzh hfly. This could result in data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potential footholds for further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement. Since the vulnerability requires only low privileges and no user interaction, it lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing risk especially in environments where the affected product is exposed to untrusted networks. The absence of vendor patches increases the window of exposure. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could face compliance risks and reputational damage if sensitive data is leaked. Additionally, attackers could leverage the vulnerability to disrupt operations by accessing critical files, although the impact on integrity and availability is rated low. The rolling release model complicates tracking affected versions, potentially delaying detection and remediation efforts.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of baowzh hfly to identify affected instances, especially those exposed to external networks. Network-level controls such as firewall rules should restrict access to the /admin/index.php/datafile/download endpoint to trusted administrative IP addresses only. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in the filename parameter. Conduct thorough logging and monitoring of access to the vulnerable endpoint to detect anomalous or suspicious requests. If possible, isolate the affected application in segmented network zones to limit exposure. Organizations should consider temporary disabling or restricting the vulnerable functionality until a vendor patch or update is available. Regularly check for vendor advisories or community patches, given the rolling release nature of the product. Additionally, perform internal security assessments and penetration tests to verify the effectiveness of mitigations and identify any residual risks. Finally, ensure backups and incident response plans are updated to handle potential exploitation scenarios.