CVE-2012-6080: Directory Traversal Vulnerability in MoinMoin
Summary
CVE-2012-6080: Directory traversal vulnerability in the _do_attachment_move function in the AttachFile action (action/AttachFile.py) in MoinMoin 1.9.3 through 1.9.5 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. Affects moin versions >= 1.9.3, < 1.9.6. Fixed in 1.9.6. How to fix ↓
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Background
MoinMoin is an open-source wiki engine written in Python. It provides a platform for collaborative content creation and editing. The AttachFile action in MoinMoin versions 1.9.3 through 1.9.5 is affected by a directory traversal vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files by exploiting the use of '..' (dot dot) in a file name.
Vulnerability Detail
The directory traversal vulnerability in MoinMoin's AttachFile action allows an attacker to bypass file name restrictions and overwrite arbitrary files on the system. By including '..' in a file name, an attacker can traverse directories and access files outside the intended scope. This can lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of critical files, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of the affected system.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 1.9.11 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "moin==1.9.11"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.9.6
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "moin==1.9.6"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, users can implement a temporary workaround by manually validating and sanitizing file names before allowing attachments. This can be done by checking for the presence of '..' or any other directory traversal sequences in the file name. If such sequences are detected, the attachment should be rejected or the offending characters should be removed from the file name.
Conclusion
The directory traversal vulnerability in MoinMoin's AttachFile action poses a significant risk to the integrity and availability of affected systems. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version of MoinMoin (1.9.6 or later) to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate upgrade is not possible, implementing the suggested workaround can provide temporary protection. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files on the system, potentially leading to unauthorized modification or deletion of critical files.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply provide your Pipfile.lock and the playground will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
While specific exploits for this vulnerability may exist, they have not been disclosed publicly. However, it is important to patch your MoinMoin installation to prevent potential exploitation.
Yes, you can implement a temporary workaround by manually validating and sanitizing file names before allowing attachments. This can help mitigate the risk of exploitation until you can upgrade to the fixed version.
You can find more information about this vulnerability, including the source and details, in the advisory database maintained by the Python Packaging Authority. The source for this vulnerability can be found at: https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/blob/main/vulns/moin/PYSEC-2013-5.yaml
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