CVE-2023-42804: BigBlueButton Path Traversal – Reading Certain File Extensions

Published Oct 30, 2023
·
Updated

BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom. BigBlueButton prior to version 2.6.0-beta.1 has a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker with a valid starting folder path, to traverse and read other files without authentication, assuming the files have certain extensions (txt, swf, svg, png). In version 2.6.0-beta.1, input validation was added on the parameters being passed and dangerous characters are stripped. There are no known workarounds.

Affected Software

5 affected components
BigBlueButton BigBlueButton<=2.5.18
BigBlueButton BigBlueButton=2.6.0-alpha1
BigBlueButton BigBlueButton=2.6.0-alpha2
BigBlueButton BigBlueButton=2.6.0-alpha3
BigBlueButton BigBlueButton=2.6.0-alpha4

Event History

Oct 30, 2023
CVE Published
06:14 PM
Data Sourced
06:14 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-42804?

CVE-2023-42804 is a path traversal vulnerability in BigBlueButton that allows an attacker to read certain files without authentication.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2023-42804?

The severity of CVE-2023-42804 is medium, with a CVSS score of 5.3.

3

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2023-42804?

CVE-2023-42804 affects BigBlueButton versions up to and including 2.5.18, 2.6.0-alpha1, 2.6.0-alpha2, 2.6.0-alpha3, and 2.6.0-alpha4.

4

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2023-42804?

An attacker with a valid starting folder path can traverse and read other files with certain extensions (txt, swf, etc.) without authentication.

5

Is there a fix for CVE-2023-42804?

Yes, upgrading to BigBlueButton version 2.6.0-beta.1 or later will fix the CVE-2023-42804 vulnerability.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203