CVE-2026-114623: baserCMS: Path traversal in the BcThemeFile admin screen allows file disclosure
baserCMS is a website development framework. In versions 5.0.0 before 5.3.2 and 5.4.0 before 5.4.2, an authenticated user with only theme-file view permission can traverse outside the theme directory through the optional BcThemeFile plugin's Admin web screen. ThemeFilesController::parseArgs() constructs a path containing literal ../ segments, and the view and edit actions pass it to ThemeFilesService::get() without containment validation. Authorization checks the unresolved request path, after which ThemeFile::getContents() reads the resolved file and exposes its contents in the form textarea. A client must preserve the dot segments rather than normalize them away. Readable files are limited to .php, .css, .js, and .ctp; this can disclose application source and config/install.php database credentials in MySQL or PostgreSQL deployments, while SQLite configurations have an empty database password. Reading config/applocal.php may expose the Security.salt fallback, which is effective only when not overridden by environment configuration. The flaw does not disclose .env, .pem, or SQLite .db files, does not itself permit file writes or code execution, and does not affect the separate API getFullpath() route. The plugin is disabled by default and unauthenticated requests are not sufficient. This issue has been patched in versions 5.3.2 and 5.4.2.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
baserCMS BcThemeFile pluginto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.3.2 - Upgrade
Upgrade
baserCMS BcThemeFile pluginto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.2
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which deployments need to be remediated?
Affected releases are baserCMS 5.0.0 through before 5.3.2, and 5.4.0 through before 5.4.2, where the optional BcThemeFile plugin's Admin screen is available. Upgrade to 5.3.2 or 5.4.2, as applicable.
What access does an attacker need?
The attacker must be authenticated and have theme-file view permission; administrator-level access is not required. Their client must also preserve ../ dot segments in the request rather than normalizing them.
What information could be exposed?
The issue can read reachable .php, .css, .js, and .ctp files, potentially exposing application source code and config/install.php database credentials for MySQL or PostgreSQL deployments. config/app_local.php may expose the Security.salt fallback when it is not overridden through environment configuration.
Does this vulnerability enable file modification or code execution?
No. The described flaw is limited to reading eligible files and does not itself permit file writes or code execution.
Are secrets in common sensitive file types exposed?
No. The issue does not disclose .env, .pem, or SQLite .db files; SQLite deployments also have an empty database password in the identified configuration.