Path traversal in the OWASP Enterprise Security API
Impact
The default implementation of Validator.getValidDirectoryPath(String, String, File, boolean) may incorrectly treat the tested input string as a child of the specified parent directory. This potentially could allow control-flow bypass checks to be defeated if an attack can specify the entire string representing the 'input' path.
Patches
This vulnerability is patched in release 2.3.0.0 of ESAPI. See https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy/releases/tag/esapi-2.3.0.0 for details.
Workarounds
Yes; in theory, one could write the own implementation of the Validator interface. This would most easily be done by sub-classing a version of the affected DefaultValidator class and then overriding the affected getValidDirectoryPath() to correct the issue. However, this is not recommended.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Email one of the project co-leaders. See email addresses listed on the OWASP ESAPI wiki page, under "Leaders".
- Send email to one of the two ESAPI related Google Groups listed under Where to Find More Information on ESAPI on our README.md page.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.owasp.esapi:esapi | < 2.3.0.0 | 2.3.0.0 |
References
- https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy/security/advisories/GHSA-8m5h-hrqm-pxm2
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23457
- https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy/commit/a0d67b75593878b1b6e39e2acc1773b3effedb2a
- https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy
- https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy/blob/develop/documentation/GHSL-2022-008_The_OWASP_Enterprise_Security_API.md
- https://github.com/ESAPI/esapi-java-legacy/blob/develop/documentation/esapi4java-core-2.3.0.0-release-notes.txt
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/07/msg00010.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230127-0014
- https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2022-008_The_OWASP_Enterprise_Security_API
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.owasp.esapi:esapi- Disclosed
- 27.04.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-8m5h-hrqm-pxm2 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.owasp.esapi:esapi
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 7
- First → latest
- 08.2021 11.2023
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 2
- Medium 4
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 1
- 2022: 4
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Path traversal in the OWASP Enterprise Security API this entry
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