External risk intelligence

ZKEACMS v4.1 Arbitrary File Upload Leading to Code Execution

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2025-52239

ZKEACMS is a content management system designed to be hosted as a web application. Content management systems are typically deployed as public-facing web services to serve content to internet users, making this vulnerability directly reachable via standard web traffic.

Unrestricted File Upload

Zkeacms

4.1

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory details an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in ZKEACMS, a content management system. If exploited, it could allow an unauthorized party to upload and execute malicious code on affected systems, potentially leading to a compromise of the application and its data. The primary concern at this stage is to confirm if this specific technology is in use within our environment and to what extent it may be exposed.

Uploading files can lead to code execution.
Critical vulnerability in content management systems.
Confirm usage and assess exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can initiate an attack by uploading a specially crafted file to ZKEACMS. This action exploits a vulnerability in the system that allows for arbitrary file uploads. If successful, this could lead to the execution of arbitrary code on the server.

Entry condition: Unauthenticated access to the web application.
Trigger point: Uploading a malicious file.
Resulting risk: Arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability in ZKEACMS versions 4.1 allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code. This could affect the integrity and availability of the content management system.

System code execution.
Crafted file upload.
Compromised service integrity.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability in ZKEACMS presents a critical risk, likely impacting publicly accessible web applications. The first practical move involves identifying all instances of ZKEACMS, determining their exposure and business criticality, and assigning ownership for remediation. Collaboration between application owners, infrastructure teams, and security operations will be key to managing this threat.

Application owners should lead the response.
Verify exposure and business criticality first.
Plan remediation considering vendor coordination.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is ZKEACMS?

ZKEACMS is a content management system designed to host and manage websites. It provides the framework for building dynamic web pages and storing site assets, acting as the foundation for the web server to process and deliver content to visitors.

What does arbitrary file upload mean in CVE-2025-52239?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-434, which refers to Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. It means the application fails to sufficiently validate or restrict the files a user sends to the server. By bypassing these checks, an attacker can upload malicious scripts, which the server might then interpret and run, leading to arbitrary code execution.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers the vulnerability by submitting a specially crafted file through the ZKEACMS interface. No prior authentication or account access is required to initiate this process. Simply browsing to the application is not enough to trigger the flaw; the attacker must intentionally interact with the system's file upload functionality to deliver the malicious payload.

Is my instance of ZKEACMS at risk?

According to Halo Surface Signal, ZKEACMS is typically deployed as a public-facing web application. Because this software is designed to serve content to the internet, your instance is likely reachable by anyone globally, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. If your installation is accessible via a standard web browser from the internet, it should be considered potentially exposed to this threat.

What should I do if I am running ZKEACMS v4.1?

Start by performing an inventory of your environment to identify all active instances of ZKEACMS v4.1. Once located, evaluate the business criticality of those specific systems to prioritize your response. Coordinate with your application and infrastructure teams to determine the appropriate path forward, which may include restricting access to the affected components until a verified update or vendor-provided solution is available.

References

github.com/CTRLCCT/BoolSpideer/blob/main/cve2.md

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.