Remote code execution through language setting in kanboard
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Kanboard is project management software that focuses on the Kanban methodology. An authenticated Kanboard admin can run arbitrary php code on the server in combination with a file write possibility. The user interface language is determined and loaded by the setting `application_language` in the `settings` table. Thus, an attacker who can upload a modified sqlite.db through the dedicated feature, has control over the filepath, which is loaded. Exploiting this vulnerability has one constraint: the attacker must be able to place a file (called translations.php) on the system. However, this is not impossible, think of anonymous FTP server or another application that allows uploading files. Once the attacker has placed its file with the actual php code as the payload, the attacker can craft a sqlite db settings, which uses path traversal to point to the directory, where the `translations.php` file is stored. Then gaining code execution after importing the crafted sqlite.db. This issue has been addressed in version 1.2.42 and all users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA kanboard (kanboard) Fixed in 1.2.42
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-51748
References
More Kanboard vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-17582 Kanboard is Vulnerable to Reverse Proxy Authentication Bypass CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2025-34713 Kanboard Authenticated Admin Remote Code Execution via Unsafe Deserialization of Events CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2024-34652 Arbitrary File Read and Delete in kanboard CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2025-32655 Kanboard Password Reset Poisoning via Host Header Injection CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-20954 Kanboard is Missing Access Control on Plugin Installation leading to Administrative RCE CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.5
- TI-2023-18607 Kanboard Authenticated SQL Injections vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences