CVE-2023-40028
mediumpriority · attend · 60EPSS 0.690 · 99 %ileexploit · PoCEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
Ghost is an open source content management system. Versions prior to 5.59.1 are subject to a vulnerability which allows authenticated users to upload files that are symlinks. This can be exploited to perform an arbitrary file read of any file on the host operating system. Site administrators can check for exploitation of this issue by looking for unknown symlinks within Ghost's `content/` folder. Version 5.59.1 contains a fix for this issue. All users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
exploits (11)
Public proof-of-concept and weaponised exploit code.
- EDB-52409Ghost CMS 5.59.1 - Arbitrary File ReadPoC · exploit_db
- 0xyassine/CVE-2023-400280xyassine/CVE-2023-40028PoC · poc_in_github
- Stp1t/CVE-2023-40028Exploit for CVE-2023-40028 (for educational purposes)PoC · poc_in_github
affected products (4)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (2)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- GHSA-9c9v-w225-v5rgGhost vulnerable to arbitrary file read via symlinks in content import2023-08-15ghsa · osvUS
### Impact A vulnerability in Ghost allows authenticated users to upload files which are symlinks. This can be exploited to perform an arbitrary file read of any file on the operating system. Site administrators can check for exploitation of this issue by looking for unknown symlinks within Ghost's `content/` folder ### Vulnerable versions This security vulnerability is present in Ghost ≤ v5.59.0. ### Patches v5.59.1 contains a fix for this issue. ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Email us at [security@ghost.org](mailto:security@ghost.org)
- BIT-ghost-2023-40028Arbitrary file read via symlinks in Ghost2024-03-06vendor · osvUS
Ghost is an open source content management system. Versions prior to 5.59.1 are subject to a vulnerability which allows authenticated users to upload files that are symlinks. This can be exploited to perform an arbitrary file read of any file on the host operating system. Site administrators can check for exploitation of this issue by looking for unknown symlinks within Ghost's `content/` folder. Version 5.59.1 contains a fix for this issue. All users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
also known as (5)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (9)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://cxsecurity.com/cveshow/CVE-2023-40028/cnnvd
- https://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2025080024cnnvd
- https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/commit/690fbf3f7302ff3f77159c0795928bdd20f41205cnnvd
- https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/security/advisories/GHSA-9c9v-w225-v5rgcnnvd
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52409cnnvd
- https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/commit/690fbf3f7302ff3f77159c0795928bdd20f41205enisa_euvd
- https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/security/advisories/GHSA-9c9v-w225-v5rgenisa_euvd
- https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/commit/690fbf3f7302ff3f77159c0795928bdd20f41205Patchnvd
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