CVE-2025-59682 is a directory traversal vulnerability discovered in the Django web framework versions prior to 4.2.25, 5.1.13, and 5.2.7. The vulnerability resides in the django.utils.archive.extract() function, which is utilized by the 'startapp --template' and 'startproject --template' commands. These commands allow developers to create new Django applications or projects based on a template archive. The flaw allows an attacker to craft an archive containing file paths that share a common prefix with the target directory, enabling partial directory traversal during extraction. This means that files within the archive can be extracted outside the intended directory structure, potentially overwriting or creating files in arbitrary locations on the filesystem where the extraction is performed. Such behavior can lead to unauthorized file writes, which may be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or disrupt application functionality. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond supplying a malicious archive to the template commands, and exploitation is possible if an attacker can influence the archive content used in these commands. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the presence of this vulnerability in widely used Django versions makes it a significant concern for developers and organizations relying on Django for web application development and deployment.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily during the development and deployment phases of Django-based applications. If an attacker can supply a malicious template archive—such as through compromised third-party templates, insider threats, or supply chain attacks—they could execute directory traversal to overwrite critical files on the development or deployment server. This could lead to unauthorized code execution, data corruption, or service disruption. Given Django's popularity in Europe across various sectors including finance, healthcare, and government, exploitation could compromise sensitive data confidentiality and integrity, disrupt service availability, and damage organizational reputation. Additionally, organizations using automated deployment pipelines that incorporate template archives without strict validation are at higher risk. The vulnerability could also facilitate lateral movement within internal networks if exploited on development or staging servers, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits suggests that proactive patching and secure handling of template archives can effectively mitigate risk, but the potential impact remains significant if left unaddressed.

European organizations should immediately update Django installations to versions 4.2.25, 5.1.13, 5.2.7 or later, where this vulnerability is patched. Until updates are applied, organizations must implement strict validation and sanitization of any template archives used with 'startapp --template' and 'startproject --template' commands, ensuring that file paths do not escape the intended directory structure. Employing sandboxed environments for template extraction can limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should audit their development and deployment pipelines to identify any use of untrusted or third-party templates and restrict their usage. Monitoring file system changes during template extraction and employing integrity checks can help detect suspicious activity. Incorporating security controls such as least privilege for accounts performing template extraction and enforcing strict access controls on development servers will further reduce risk. Finally, educating developers and DevOps teams about this vulnerability and secure template handling practices is critical to prevent exploitation.