CVE-2025-26356 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Q-Free MaxTime versions up to and including 2.11.0. The vulnerability is categorized as a CWE-35 "Path Traversal" issue found in the maxtime/api/database/database.lua file, specifically within the setActive endpoint. This flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker to overwrite sensitive files through crafted HTTP requests.
With a CVSS score of 7.2, organizations must recognize the potential risks associated with this vulnerability. The ability for attackers to exploit this flaw could lead to serious integrity, confidentiality, and availability impacts, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation efforts.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and the potential for further attacks leveraging compromised systems. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there are no known exploits or public proof-of-concept (PoC) code available for this vulnerability. However, the lack of available exploits does not mitigate the urgency for remediation.
Organizations using Q-Free MaxTime should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and take necessary actions to apply available patches or implement workarounds.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-26356 is a CWE-35 "Path Traversal" issue that affects the setActive endpoint within the Q-Free MaxTime application. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to overwrite sensitive files by sending specially crafted HTTP requests. The affected versions are all releases of MaxTime up to and including version 2.11.0.
The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.2 indicates a high severity level, with an attack vector categorized as NETWORK. The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker could exploit the vulnerability with relative ease, provided they have authenticated access. The consequences of a successful attack could lead to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The vulnerability was published on February 12, 2025. Organizations should act quickly to mitigate this risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP requests that manipulate file paths, allowing them to access restricted directories and overwrite sensitive files.
The vulnerability can be exploited through a network attack, requiring high privileges to be achieved. Importantly, no user interaction is required for an attack to succeed. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are significant, which means organizations must treat this vulnerability with utmost seriousness.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of Q-Free MaxTime in sensitive environments poses critical risks. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive files, leading to data breaches and other forms of compromise.
The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score and the potential for significant damage. The blast radius could extend to any system utilizing affected versions of MaxTime, with the potential for cascading failures across interconnected systems.
Organizations should assess their deployment and prioritize patching efforts to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is Q-Free MaxTime, specifically all versions up to and including 2.11.0. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest patched version to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-26356, organizations should immediately apply the latest patch provided by Q-Free. If a patch is not available, organizations should consider implementing access controls to limit authenticated users' permissions and monitor logs for suspicious activities.
Additional recommendations include regular security assessments, such as penetration testing to ensure that applications are secure against potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file access patterns and unauthorized changes to sensitive files as indicators of potential exploitation. Behavioral anomalies in user activity may also serve as warning signs.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The presence of CVE-2025-26356 highlights ongoing challenges in application security, particularly regarding path traversal vulnerabilities. It is crucial for security teams to remain vigilant and proactive in their defenses.
Security professionals should learn from this vulnerability and incorporate secure coding practices into their development workflows. For further insights, organizations may explore penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management programs to enhance their security posture.
Organizations should also consider engaging in API security assessments to further identify and address potential vulnerabilities related to their applications.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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