CVE-2025-67488 is a path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22 found in the SiYuan open-source personal knowledge management software. The vulnerability resides in the importZipMd function, which processes ZIP archives imported by authenticated users. Due to improper validation of file paths within the ZIP archive, an attacker can craft a malicious ZIP file containing file paths that traverse directories (ZipSlip attack). When imported, this allows overwriting arbitrary files on the host filesystem, potentially including critical system or application files. Because the attacker must be authenticated and use the import functionality, the attack vector is limited but still significant. Under certain conditions, overwriting executable files or scripts can lead to full remote code execution, escalating the attacker's privileges and control over the system. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 0.0.0-20251202123337-6ef83b42c7ce, with a fix scheduled for version 3.5.0. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction and authentication. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the potential for severe damage exists, especially in environments where SiYuan is used for sensitive data management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for entities relying on SiYuan for self-hosted knowledge management and document handling. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized file overwrites, data corruption, or deletion, compromising data integrity and availability. The possibility of full code execution elevates the threat to critical infrastructure or sensitive environments, potentially allowing attackers to deploy malware, establish persistence, or pivot within networks. Organizations in sectors such as research, education, government, and enterprises using SiYuan for internal documentation could face operational disruptions, data breaches, and compliance violations under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The requirement for authentication limits exposure but insider threats or compromised credentials could facilitate attacks. Given the open-source nature and self-hosted deployment, patch management and secure configuration are crucial to prevent exploitation.

European organizations should immediately audit their SiYuan deployments to identify affected versions and restrict import functionality to trusted, authenticated users only. Until the patch in version 3.5.0 is applied, implement strict access controls and monitor import activity logs for suspicious ZIP file imports. Employ network segmentation to isolate SiYuan servers from critical infrastructure and sensitive data repositories. Validate and sanitize all imported ZIP files externally before allowing import into SiYuan, possibly using sandboxing or file integrity verification tools. Regularly update authentication credentials and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised accounts. Consider deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect unauthorized file modifications. Finally, plan and test the upgrade to version 3.5.0 promptly once released to remediate the vulnerability.