How severe is CVE-2017-5228?

CVE-2017-5228 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability low.

Is CVE-2017-5228 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-5228?

CVE-2017-5228 affects Rapid7 Metasploit. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-5228?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-5228 published?

CVE-2017-5228 was published on 2017-03-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-5228

CVE-2017-5228 is a high-severity vulnerability in Rapid7 Metasploit with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.1)
CVSS v2: 5.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Rapid7 Metasploit
Published: 2017-03-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

All editions of Rapid7 Metasploit prior to version 4.13.0-2017020701 contain a directory traversal vulnerability in the Meterpreter stdapi Dir.download() function. By using a specially-crafted build of Meterpreter, it is possible to write to an arbitrary directory on the Metasploit console with the permissions of the running Metasploit instance.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-5228?: All editions of Rapid7 Metasploit prior to version 4.13.0-2017020701 contain a directory traversal vulnerability in the Meterpreter stdapi Dir.download() function. By using a specially-crafted build of Meterpreter, it is possible to write to an arbitrary directory on the Metasploit console with the permissions of the running Metasploit instance.
How severe is CVE-2017-5228?: CVE-2017-5228 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability low.
Is CVE-2017-5228 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-5228?: CVE-2017-5228 affects Rapid7 Metasploit. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-5228?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-5228 published?: CVE-2017-5228 was published on 2017-03-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:rapid7:metasploit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Rapid7 Metasploit

CVE-2020-7385 — High (CVSS 8.1): By launching the drb_remote_codeexec exploit, a Metasploit Framework user will inadvertently expose Metasploit to the…
CVE-2020-7377 — High (CVSS 8.1): The Metasploit Framework module "auxiliary/admin/http/telpho10_credential_dump" module is affected by a relative path…
CVE-2017-5235 — High (CVSS 7.8): Rapid7 Metasploit Pro installers prior to version 4.13.0-2017022101 contain a DLL preloading vulnerability, wherein it…
CVE-2019-5645 — High (CVSS 7.5): By sending a specially crafted HTTP GET request to a listening Rapid7 Metasploit HTTP handler, an attacker can register…
CVE-2019-5624 — High (CVSS 7.3): Rapid7 Metasploit Framework suffers from an instance of CWE-22, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted…
CVE-2020-7376 — High (CVSS 7.1): The Metasploit Framework module "post/osx/gather/enum_osx module" is affected by a relative path traversal…

All CVEs affecting Rapid7 Metasploit →

Other CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-55393 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unvalidated pathnames in the web interface in Teledyne FLIR Aware2 versions through 6.9.0.2 (PackBot) and 1.7.9…
CVE-2026-97163 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - lomart.fr - Unauthenticated remote code installation in UP plugin extension 5.0.0-5.2.0, 6.0.0-6.0.29
CVE-2026-80155 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lantronix SLC8000 before firmware v9.7.0.5, SLC9000 before firmware v9.7.0.2, EMG8500/EMG7500 before firmware v9.7.0.1,…
CVE-2026-70200 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Azure Logic Apps allows an…
CVE-2026-85706 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): GitLab has remediated an issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 18.7 before 18.11.12, 19.0 before 19.0.9,…
CVE-2026-76606 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Joomla Extension - fabrikar.com - Path Traversal via image element in Fabrik < 4.7.2.

Browse all CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerabilities →