Path Traversal in open-webui (CVE-2026-54014)
Summary
Path traversal in open-webui (CVE-2026-54014). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure. Exploitable via GET /cache/{{path}}. Mitigation: upgrade to 0.9.6 or later.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
Summary
A path traversal vulnerability exists in open-webui's cache file serving endpoint that allows any authenticated user to read files from sibling directories outside the intended cache directory, by exploiting an incomplete startswith containment check that lacks a trailing path separator.
The root cause is that serve_cache_file() in open_webui/main.py validates the resolved path with file_path.startswith(os.path.abspath(CACHE_DIR)) — without appending os.sep. This allows any path resolving to a sibling directory whose name begins with cache (e.g. cache_sibling, cache_backup, cached_models) to pass validation.
Deep traversal and absolute paths are correctly blocked. The bypass is narrow but confirmed — limited to sibling-prefix directories.
Exploitation constraints
| Constraint | Detail |
|---|---|
| Auth required | get_verified_user — any user with role user or admin |
| Scope | Only sibling directories starting with cache (e.g. cache_backup, cached_models) |
| Deep traversal | Blocked — ../../etc/passwd correctly fails the startswith check |
| Absolute paths | Blocked — /etc/passwd correctly fails |
| Client normalization | httpx/browsers normalize .. client-side — must use raw HTTP or ASGI to deliver payload |
Vulnerability Details
Vulnerable function: serve_cache_file()
# open_webui/main.py, line 2907-2924
@app.get('/cache/{path:path}')
async def serve_cache_file(path: str, user=Depends(get_verifi…
Source: GitHub Security Advisories (Global) NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-54014 has been found in open-webui.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like GET /cache/{{path}} over the network to misuse the product.
Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure. CVSS score: 4.3/10.
What to do: upgrade open-webui to 0.9.6 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "open-webui CVE-2026-54014" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-54014 (open-webui) — CWE-22 / CVSS v3 4.3
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / no user interaction
Attack surface: GET /cache/{{path}} / startswith / os.sep / cache
Patched: 0.9.6 — apply immediately
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Path traversal (CWE-22) exists in open-webui. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via GET /cache/{{path}}.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of open-webui. Attack surface: GET /cache/{{path}} / startswith / os.sep / cache.
Severity: Medium (CVSS 4.3/10). Risk of unauthorized operations or information disclosure.
Update to 0.9.6.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual GET /cache/{{path}} requests with malformed payloads or SQL meta-characters. Run grep -r 'open-webui' . against your dependency files (package-lock.json, requirements.txt, go.sum) to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
grep -r 'open-webui' . | grep -v node_modulesリポジトリと本番環境の依存ファイル (package-lock.json / requirements.txt / go.sum / Gemfile.lock 等) で
open-webuiを grep し、稼働しているサービス・バージョンを把握する。 -
2Hunt for indicators of compromise detect
grep 'GET /cache/{{path}}' /var/log/nginx/access.log | grep -E '(unusual_payload|sqli_pattern)'アクセスログで
GET /cache/{{path}}への異常なリクエスト (不正な認証ヘッダ・SQLメタ文字)を過去 30〜90日分捜索。WAF/SIEM があれば該当パスのアラート発火履歴を確認。 -
3Apply patch patch
Upgrade open-webui to 0.9.6ステージング環境で 0.9.6 に上げて回帰テスト → 本番反映。回帰テストはアプリの主要ハッピーパスと、Step 2 で見つけた異常検知の続報チェックを含めること。
-
4Post-deployment verification verify
Replay attack against GET /cache/{{path}} on staging to confirm patch closes the vectorパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番では Step 2 と同じログクエリでアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web pypi.org