CVE-2025-53632
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-53632 is a path traversal vulnerability (zip slip) in Chall-Manager that allows unauthenticated attackers to write arbitrary files outside the intended extraction directory when processing scenario zip archives. This affects all Chall-Manager deployments prior to v0.1.4. While the software is typically deployed internally, any exposed instance is vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Chall-Manager
📦 What is this software?
Chall Manager by Ctfer Io
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution, complete system compromise, or data destruction via arbitrary file writes to sensitive locations like /etc/passwd, startup scripts, or web directories.
Likely Case
File system manipulation leading to service disruption, data corruption, or limited code execution depending on file write locations and permissions.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if properly isolated in internal network with strict firewall rules preventing external access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward - craft malicious zip archive with path traversal filenames. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: v0.1.4
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/ctfer-io/chall-manager/security/advisories/GHSA-3gv2-v3jx-r9fh
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Stop Chall-Manager service. 2. Update to v0.1.4 via package manager or manual download. 3. Restart Chall-Manager service. 4. Verify fix by checking version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Isolation
linuxRestrict network access to Chall-Manager using firewall rules
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [CHALL-MANAGER-PORT] -s [TRUSTED-NETWORK] -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [CHALL-MANAGER-PORT] -j DROP
Disable Scenario Upload
allTemporarily disable scenario upload/processing functionality
Edit configuration to disable zip processing or remove upload endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate Chall-Manager behind strict firewall allowing only trusted IPs
- Implement network segmentation to prevent lateral movement if compromised
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chall-Manager version; if < v0.1.4, vulnerable. Test by attempting to upload zip with '../' in filenames.Check Version:
Check Chall-Manager logs or configuration for version string, or run: chall-manager --versionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, test with same malicious zip; should reject or sanitize path traversal attempts.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed or successful file writes with path traversal patterns (../)
- Unusual zip file processing errors
- File writes outside expected directories
Network Indicators:
- Unusual spikes in zip file uploads to Chall-Manager
- Requests with zip files from unexpected sources
SIEM Query:
source="chall-manager" AND ("../" OR "..\\" OR "zip" AND "write")