CVE-2018-14847: MikroTik Router OS Directory Traversal Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-14847 is a critical (CVSS 9.1) Path Traversal vulnerability in MikroTik RouterOS. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 01-12-2021. EPSS estimates a 95.98% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of scored vulnerabilities. 6 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 02-08-2018
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 01-12-2021
   Added to CISA KEVMikroTik Router OS Directory Traversal Vulnerability
3. 01-06-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

MikroTik RouterOS through 6.42 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files and remote authenticated attackers to write arbitrary files due to a directory traversal vulnerability in the WinBox interface.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.