CVE-2019-13623
In NSA Ghidra before 9.1, path traversal can occur in RestoreTask.java (from the package ghidra.app.plugin.core.archive) via an archive with an executable file that has an initial ../ in its filename.
Does this matter?
A public exploit is published in Exploit-DB (verified) and the impact is high, while EPSS rates exploitation at 5.0%. Anyone can run this; patch or mitigate before the next change window and check exposed instances for signs of use.
Description
In NSA Ghidra before 9.1, path traversal can occur in RestoreTask.java (from the package ghidra.app.plugin.core.archive) via an archive with an executable file that has an initial ../ in its filename. This allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files in scenarios where an intermediate analysis result is archived for sharing with other persons. To achieve arbitrary code execution, one approach is to overwrite some critical Ghidra modules, e.g., the decompile module.
- CVSS 3.0
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 4.96% probability · 92th percentile
- Public exploits
- 1 in Exploit-DB · verified · first 12 August 2019
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-22
- Affected
- nsa/ghidra
- Source
- cve@mitre.org
EPSS moved from 6.4% on 21 September 2026 to 5.0% on 27 October 2026. The dashed line is the ten per cent mark our analysts treat as “patch before the next change window”.
Public exploits (1)
Entries in Exploit-DB that cite this CVE. Links go to the Exploit-DB page and to the file in the public repository; nothing is hosted here. A verified tick means the Exploit-DB team confirmed the exploit works against the stated version.
References
- http://blog.fxiao.me/ghidra/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154015/Ghidra-Linux-9.0.4-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html
- https://ghidra-sre.org/releaseNotes_9.1_final.html
- https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/issues/789Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- http://blog.fxiao.me/ghidra/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154015/Ghidra-Linux-9.0.4-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html
- https://ghidra-sre.org/releaseNotes_9.1_final.html
- https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra/issues/789Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.