CVE-2025-34120 json
LimeSurvey 2.0+ - 2.06+ Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Download via Serialized Backup Payload
published 2025-07-16 15 mo ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2025-21750
- cvss
- 8.7
- version 4.0, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 2.0%
- EPSS 2.0% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 80%
- public exploits
- 1
- Metasploit
Summary
An unauthenticated file download vulnerability exists in LimeSurvey versions from 2.0+ up to and including 2.06+ Build 151014. The application fails to validate serialized input to the admin backup endpoint (`index.php/admin/update/sa/backup`), allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths using a crafted `datasupdateinfo` payload. The files are packaged in a ZIP archive and made available for download without authentication. This vulnerability can be exploited to read arbitrary files on the host system, including sensitive OS and configuration files.
Patch / fix
Timeline
- First public exploit (Metasploit auxiliary/admin/http/limesurvey_file_download)
- Published
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- Proof of concept is public
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- partial
- Assessed
- 15 mo ago
Exploit prediction
1.99% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 80% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
Exploits and checks
- Metasploit auxiliary/admin/http/limesurvey_file_download Limesurvey Unauthenticated File Download metasploit auxiliary, normal rank, 2015-10-12
- raw.githubusercontent.com https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/auxiliary/admin/http/limesurvey_file_download.rb referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
- packetstorm.news https://packetstorm.news/files/id/180855 referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 4.0 | 8.7 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
| CNA | 4.0 | 8.7 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X |
Affected products
- LimeSurvey GmbH LimeSurvey
Classification
References
-
web.archive.org
/web/20210123073627/https://www.limesurvey.org/blog/22-security/136-limesurvey-security-advisory-10-2015
vendor-advisory, patch
-
raw.githubusercontent.com
/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/auxiliary/admin/http/limesurvey_file_download.rb
exploit
-
packetstorm.news
/files/id/180855
exploit
-
sec-consult.com
/vulnerability-lab/advisory/multiple-critical-vulnerabilities-in-lime-survey/
third-party-advisory, technical-description
-
vulncheck.com
/advisories/limesurvey-unauthenticated-arbitrary-file-download
third-party-advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2025-34120
- NVD CVE-2025-34120
Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.