CVE-2025-53622CWE-22

DSpace has path traversal vulnerability in Simple Archive Format (SAF) package import via contents file

Medium · published July 15, 2025

CVSS v3.1
5.2
EPSS
0%
Percentile
40.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources. Prior to versions 7.6.4, 8.2, and 9.1, a path traversal vulnerability is possible during the import of an archive (in Simple Archive Format), either from command-line (`./dspace import` command) or from the "Batch Import (Zip)" user interface feature. An attacker may craft a malicious Simple Archive Format (SAF) package where the `contents` file references any system files (using relative traversal sequences) which are readable by the Tomcat user. If such a package is imported, this will result in sensitive content disclose, including retrieving arbitrary files or configurations from the server where DSpace is running. The Simple Archive Format (SAF) importer / Batch Import (Zip) is only usable by site administrators (from user interface / REST API) or system administrators (from command-line). Therefore, to exploit this vulnerability, the malicious payload would have to be provided by an attacker and trusted by an administrator (who would trigger the import). The fix is included in DSpace 7.6.4, 8.2 and 9.1. For those who cannot upgrade immediately, it is possible to manually patch the DSpace backend. (No changes are necessary to the frontend.) A pull request exists which can be used to patch systems running DSpace 7.6.x, 8.x or 9.0. Although it is not possible to fully protect the system via workarounds, one may can apply a best practice. Administrators must carefully inspect any SAF archives (they did not construct themselves) before importing, paying close attention to the `contents` file to validate it does not reference files outside of the SAF archives.

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
5.2 · MEDIUM
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00484 · 40.8th percentile
Weakness
CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Published
2025-07-15T14:47Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 15 JUL 14:47Z
    DSpace has path traversal vulnerability in Simple Archive Format (SAF) package import via contents file
    cvelistv5