CVE-2026-1020 identifies an Absolute Path Traversal vulnerability (CWE-36) in the Gotac Police Statistics Database System, a specialized software used for managing police statistical data. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate file path inputs to access arbitrary files on the underlying system by traversing directories outside the intended scope. This is possible because the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied file path parameters, enabling attackers to enumerate system directories and potentially access sensitive files. The vulnerability is network exploitable without any authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although the CVSS v4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium severity), the impact on confidentiality is significant due to unauthorized file disclosure, while integrity and availability impacts are low or none. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability's presence in a law enforcement database system raises concerns about sensitive data exposure and operational security. The lack of authentication requirements means attackers can probe the system remotely, making it a valuable reconnaissance vector for further attacks or data exfiltration. The affected version is listed as '0', which may indicate an initial or default release version, suggesting that all current deployments might be vulnerable unless mitigated.

For European organizations, especially law enforcement agencies and government entities using the Gotac Police Statistics Database System, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive police data and system files. Exposure of such information could compromise investigations, reveal internal operational details, or provide attackers with intelligence to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks. The ability to enumerate system directories remotely without authentication increases the attack surface and could lead to targeted exploitation by cybercriminals or state-sponsored actors. This could undermine public trust and disrupt critical policing functions. Additionally, the exposure of system files might reveal configuration details or credentials, facilitating lateral movement within networks. Given the sensitivity of police data, the impact on confidentiality is particularly critical, while integrity and availability impacts are less direct but still possible if attackers leverage disclosed information for further compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2026-1020, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all file path parameters to prevent directory traversal sequences such as '../'. Employ allowlisting of permissible file paths and enforce least privilege access controls on the file system to restrict application access to only necessary directories. Network segmentation should isolate the Police Statistics Database System from untrusted networks to limit exposure. Monitoring and logging of file access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts early. Since no official patches are currently available, consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block path traversal patterns. Conduct thorough security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to potential data exposure scenarios.