CVE-2023-31541: A unrestricted file upload vulnerability was discovered in the ‘Browse and upload images’ feature of the CKEdi

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-31541 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting ckeditor. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A unrestricted file upload vulnerability was discovered in the ‘Browse and upload images’ feature of the CKEditor v1.2.3 plugin for Redmine, which allows arbitrary files to be uploaded to the server.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-434
Published	2023-06-13
Last modified	2026-07-09

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ckeditor

Last updated 2026-07-09 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-06-13 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-09 01:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ckeditor ckeditor DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ckeditor || rpm -q ckeditor || ckeditor --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ckeditor sudo apt install ckeditor=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.3> sudo apt-mark hold ckeditor

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ckeditor sudo dnf downgrade ckeditor-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.3> sudo dnf versionlock add ckeditor

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-31541?

ckeditor: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-31541 being exploited?

CVE-2023-31541 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-31541 affect?

CVE-2023-31541 affects ckeditor. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A unrestricted file upload vulnerability was discovered in the ‘Browse and upload images’ feature of the CKEditor v1.2.3 plugin for Redmine, which allows arbitrary files to be uploaded to the server.

How urgent is CVE-2023-31541?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

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CVE-2021-26272 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE It was possible to execute a ReDoS-type attack inside CKEditor 4 before 4.16 by persuading a victim to paste c
CVE-2021-26271 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE It was possible to execute a ReDoS-type attack inside CKEditor 4 before 4.16 by persuading a victim to paste c
CVE-2020-27193 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Color Dialog plugin for CKEditor 4.15.0 allows remote attack
CVE-2024-43407 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE CKEditor4 is an open source what-you-see-is-what-you-get HTML editor

References

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