Appsecure logo

CVE-2026-22218: High Vulnerability in Chainlit

An arbitrary file read vulnerability exists in Chainlit versions prior to 2.9.4. Attackers can exploit this flaw to disclose sensitive files. Immediate patching is recommended to mitigate risks.

HIGHCVSS 7.1 · Published January 20, 2026

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

Chainlit versions prior to 2.9.4 contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability in the /project/element update flow. An authenticated client can send a custom Element with a user-controlled path value, causing the server to copy the referenced file into the attacker’s session. The resulting element identifier (chainlitKey) can then be used to retrieve the file contents via /project/file/<chainlitKey>, allowing disclosure of any file readable by the Chainlit service.

This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive information, posing a significant risk to organizations using affected Chainlit versions. The severity of this issue is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 7.1, highlighting the potential impact on confidentiality.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability has been disclosed and the affected versions should be updated to 2.9.4 or later to mitigate risks associated with this exposure.

The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive files, which could lead to data breaches or compromise of critical information. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability if it remains unaddressed, emphasizing the importance of timely remediation.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description states that Chainlit versions prior to 2.9.4 contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, indicating a potential for path traversal attacks. The CVSS score of 7.1 indicates a high level of severity due to the low attack complexity and significant confidentiality impact.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the design of the /project/element update flow, which does not adequately validate user-provided paths. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending a custom Element with a crafted path, allowing them to access arbitrary files.

The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, requiring only low privileges to execute. There is no user interaction required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The confidentiality impact is rated as high since sensitive files can be exposed, while integrity and availability impacts are none.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk includes the potential for sensitive information exposure, which can lead to significant reputational and financial damage for organizations. The blast radius of this vulnerability could be extensive, affecting any files that the Chainlit service can read.

The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is high, as organizations must ensure they are not vulnerable to file disclosure attacks. The CVSS score of 7.1 and the nature of the flaw necessitate immediate action.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

All versions prior to 2.9.4 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations must ensure they upgrade to version 2.9.4 or later to mitigate the risk.

Mitigation & Remediation

To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to Chainlit version 2.9.4 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the application. Ongoing monitoring for unusual access patterns is also recommended.

Further guidance on securing applications can be found in our application security assessment services.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns, especially any requests to the /project/file endpoint. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions should also be flagged for further investigation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to adopt a proactive security posture. As vulnerabilities like this can lead to significant breaches, security teams should prioritize vulnerability management and assessment.

For more insights on fostering a robust security framework, refer to our vulnerability management program and consider the best practices outlined in our penetration testing methodology articles.

Furthermore, engaging with our red teaming services can provide a thorough assessment of your security posture.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.