CVE-2026-104417: Ghost Path Traversal Vulnerability Exposing Server Secrets
Summary
CVE-2026-104417: Ghost: Path Traversal via Locale Setting. Affects ghost versions >= 1.20.0, < 6.64.0. Fixed in 6.64.0. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
The same CVE-2026-104417 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
Ghost is a popular open-source publishing platform designed for creating and managing online content. It is built on Node.js and offers a user-friendly interface for bloggers and publishers. Ghost supports themes and plugins, allowing for extensive customization. However, a vulnerability in how Ghost loads theme translation files has been identified, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive server configuration files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the way Ghost handles locale settings when loading theme translation files. An authenticated Administrator can exploit this flaw to perform a path traversal attack, enabling them to read JSON files located outside of the active theme's directory. This could potentially expose sensitive server configuration secrets, posing a risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the server.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 6.72.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
npm install ghost@6.72.0Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
6.64.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
npm install ghost@6.64.0Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, ensure that only trusted administrators have access to the Ghost admin interface to mitigate the risk of exploitation until the update can be applied.
Conclusion
In summary, the Ghost path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2026-104417) poses a risk to server security by allowing authenticated Administrators to access sensitive files. It is crucial to update to version 6.64.0 or later to mitigate this risk and ensure the integrity of your Ghost installation.
See every vulnerability recorded for ghost →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows an authenticated Administrator to read sensitive JSON files outside the active theme's directory, potentially exposing server configuration secrets.
The vulnerability affects Ghost versions from 1.20.0 up to 6.64.0.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.9, indicating a moderate severity level.
Ghost thanks Miguel Segovia Gil of KPMG and Nguyễn Quốc Đổng for responsibly disclosing this vulnerability.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for ghost.
