How severe is CVE-2023-38951?

CVE-2023-38951 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-38951 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-38951?

CVE-2023-38951 affects Zkteco Biotime. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38951?

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

When was CVE-2023-38951 published?

CVE-2023-38951 was published on 2023-08-03 and last updated on 2026-07-09.

CVE-2023-38951

CVE-2023-38951 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Zkteco Biotime with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (88th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Zkteco Biotime
Published: 2023-08-03
Last modified: 2026-07-09

Description

ZKTeco BioTime 8.5.5 through 9.x before 9.0.1 (20240617.19506) allows authenticated attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the server via crafted requests to /base/sftpsetting/ endpoints that abuse a path traversal issue in the Username field and a lack of input sanitization on the SSH Key field. Overwriting specific files may lead to arbitrary code execution as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-38951?: ZKTeco BioTime 8.5.5 through 9.x before 9.0.1 (20240617.19506) allows authenticated attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the server via crafted requests to /base/sftpsetting/ endpoints that abuse a path traversal issue in the Username field and a lack of input sanitization on the SSH Key field. Overwriting specific files may lead to arbitrary code execution as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
How severe is CVE-2023-38951?: CVE-2023-38951 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-38951 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-38951?: CVE-2023-38951 affects Zkteco Biotime. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-38951?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-38951 published?: CVE-2023-38951 was published on 2023-08-03 and last updated on 2026-07-09.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:zkteco:biotime:8.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Zkteco Biotime

CVE-2023-51142 — High (CVSS 7.5): An issue in ZKTeco BioTime v.8.5.4 and before allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information.
CVE-2023-38952 — High (CVSS 7.5): Insecure access control in ZKTeco BioTime through 9.0.1 allows authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges due…
CVE-2023-38950 — High (CVSS 7.5): A path traversal vulnerability in the iclock API of ZKTeco BioTime v8.5.5 allows unauthenticated attackers to read…
CVE-2023-38949 — High (CVSS 7.5): An issue in a hidden API in ZKTeco BioTime v8.5.5 allows unauthenticated attackers to arbitrarily reset the…
CVE-2024-13966 — High (CVSS 7.3): ZKTeco BioTime allows unauthenticated attackers to enumerate usernames and log in as any user with a password unchanged…
CVE-2022-38803 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): Zkteco BioTime < 8.5.3 Build:20200816.447 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control via Leave, overtime, Manual log. An…

All CVEs affecting Zkteco Biotime →

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 →