Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2023-38950: ZKTeco BioTime Path Traversal Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). A path traversal vulnerability in the iclock API of ZKTeco BioTime v8.5.5 allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files via supplying a crafted payload.
CISA KEV · added 2025-05-19 CVSS 7.5 High EPSS 92.5% · p99.8
Should you act?
Exploited: patch now if you run it
CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Yes, if you run ZKTeco BioTime. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-05-19, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2025-06-09; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 92.5%, percentile 99.8: FIRST’s model estimates a 92.5% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
What it is
A path traversal vulnerability in the iclock API of ZKTeco BioTime v8.5.5 allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files via supplying a crafted payload. This vulnerability was fixed in version 9.0.120240617.19506 of ZKBioTime.
CISA’s summary
ZKTeco BioTime contains a path traversal vulnerability in the iclock API that allows an unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files via supplying a crafted payload.
Weakness type: CWE-22.
Product: ZKTeco BioTime · Assigned by: mitre · Published: 2023-08-03
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | see vendor advisory |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA-ADP | 3.1 | 7.5 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: added 2025-05-19; federal due date 2025-06-09. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable yes, technical impact partial.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 92.47% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.8.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by mitre
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- Listed in CISA KEV notes (zkteco.com) zkteco.com
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2023-38950 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2023-38950 nvd.nist.gov
Government
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- claroty.com claroty.com
- sploitus.com sploitus.com
- fortinet.com fortinet.com
All exploited ZKTeco vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest