CVE-2026-45088: CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path in hahwul dalfox
Dalfox is a powerful open-source XSS scanner and utility focused on automation. Prior to 2.13.0, when dalfox is run in REST API server mode, the custom-payload-file field in model.Options is JSON-tagged and deserialized directly from the attacker's request body, then propagated unchanged through dalfox.Initialize into the scan engine. The engine passes the value to voltFile.ReadLinesOrLiteral, which reads lines from any file path accessible to the dalfox process and embeds each line as an XSS payload in outbound HTTP requests directed at the attacker-controlled target URL. Because the server has no API key by default, an unauthenticated network attacker can exfiltrate the contents of arbitrary files on the dalfox host by reading them line-by-line through scan traffic. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.13.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Dalfox, an open-source XSS scanner, prior to version 2.13.0, improperly handles the custom-payload-file field in REST API server mode by deserializing it directly from attacker-controlled JSON input. This value is then used by the scan engine to read lines from any file accessible to the dalfox process, embedding each line as an XSS payload in outbound HTTP requests. Since the server lacks an API key by default, an unauthenticated network attacker can leverage this to exfiltrate arbitrary file contents from the dalfox host. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) and is fixed in version 2.13.0.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can read arbitrary files on the dalfox host by exploiting the vulnerable REST API server mode. This leads to confidentiality breaches as sensitive file contents can be exfiltrated without authentication. There is no impact on integrity or availability reported. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (High) reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and high confidentiality impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade dalfox to version 2.13.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Prior versions are vulnerable and should not be used in REST API server mode without additional access controls. Since no official patch links or vendor advisory are provided, users should verify the version and update accordingly. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 2.13.0.
CVE-2026-45088: CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path in hahwul dalfox
Description
Dalfox is a powerful open-source XSS scanner and utility focused on automation. Prior to 2.13.0, when dalfox is run in REST API server mode, the custom-payload-file field in model.Options is JSON-tagged and deserialized directly from the attacker's request body, then propagated unchanged through dalfox.Initialize into the scan engine. The engine passes the value to voltFile.ReadLinesOrLiteral, which reads lines from any file path accessible to the dalfox process and embeds each line as an XSS payload in outbound HTTP requests directed at the attacker-controlled target URL. Because the server has no API key by default, an unauthenticated network attacker can exfiltrate the contents of arbitrary files on the dalfox host by reading them line-by-line through scan traffic. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.13.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Dalfox, an open-source XSS scanner, prior to version 2.13.0, improperly handles the custom-payload-file field in REST API server mode by deserializing it directly from attacker-controlled JSON input. This value is then used by the scan engine to read lines from any file accessible to the dalfox process, embedding each line as an XSS payload in outbound HTTP requests. Since the server lacks an API key by default, an unauthenticated network attacker can leverage this to exfiltrate arbitrary file contents from the dalfox host. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) and is fixed in version 2.13.0.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can read arbitrary files on the dalfox host by exploiting the vulnerable REST API server mode. This leads to confidentiality breaches as sensitive file contents can be exfiltrated without authentication. There is no impact on integrity or availability reported. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (High) reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and high confidentiality impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade dalfox to version 2.13.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Prior versions are vulnerable and should not be used in REST API server mode without additional access controls. Since no official patch links or vendor advisory are provided, users should verify the version and update accordingly. Patch status is confirmed fixed in 2.13.0.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-08T19:27:26.697Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a172e7fe29bf47b50d78aac
Added to database: 5/27/2026, 5:48:47 PM
Last enriched: 5/27/2026, 6:03:54 PM
Last updated: 5/29/2026, 6:54:13 PM
Views: 17
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