Path traversal in SABnzbd orphan-job API lets attackers delete files
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
SABnzbd before 5.1.0Beta3 does not confine the path used in its orphan-job management, so an absolute path replaces the download directory (CWE-22). A remote attacker with a valid API key can recursively delete any files and directories that the SABnzbd process can write, including configuration, queue data and downloads. System files outside the user's ownership are not affected.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-05
Description from the CNA
SABnzbd is an open source automated Usenet download tool. Prior to 5.1.0Beta3, orphan-job management in `sabnzbd/api.py` accepts the user-controlled `value` parameter without path confinement before `os.path.join()` with `download_dir`. An absolute path discards that base directory. An attacker with a valid API key can invoke `mode=status` with `name=delete_orphan` to reach `_api_delete_orphan` and `remove_all()` in `sabnzbd/filesystem.py`, which uses `shutil.rmtree()` for recursive deletion. The advisory also identifies `_api_add_orphan` and `_api_delete_all_orphan` as affected by the path-validation issue, while its concrete arbitrary-deletion trace is through `_api_delete_orphan`. The API key is stored in plaintext in `sabnzbd.ini`. The attacker can delete files or directories writable by the SABnzbd process, including configuration, queue data, and downloads, but system files outside the regular user's ownership are not affected. This issue is fixed in version 5.1.0Beta3.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
Update SABnzbd to version 5.1.0Beta3, the fixed version.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-05
- Fix · CNA sabnzbd (sabnzbd) Fixed in 5.1.0Beta3
Timeline
- 2026-10-30 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-62965
- 2026-11-01 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-05 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-05 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
References
More sabnzbd vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-17073 Remote code execution via specially crafted script settings in SABnzbd CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2020-10315 SABnzbd 2.3.9 and 3.0.0Alpha2 has a command injection vulnerability in the web… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2021-10201 Creation of files outside the Download Folder through malicious PAR2 files CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.3
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences