h2oGPT through 0.2.1 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the OpenAI-compatible files API that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read, write, and delete arbitrary files accessible to the server process by supplying traversal sequences in the bearer token. The get_user_dir function in openai_server/backend_utils.py uses the bearer token string unsanitized as a path component via os.path.join, and because the default API key is EMPTY authentication is bypassed, enabling attackers to traverse outside the intended user directory through the file content, delete, and upload endpoints to achieve remote code execution by writing to startup hooks or application-loaded files.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Attack Requirements
None
No additional conditions
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
High
Complete data modification
Availability
High
Complete denial of service
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
Vulnerable Products
h2oai:h2ogpt