Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects Java applications that use AWS SDK for Java v1 to download S3 directories. Malicious or untrusted S3 object names containing double-dot path elements could make files land just outside the intended destination directory, risking sensitive file overwrite or data exposure.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where Java services download user-controlled or partner-controlled S3 bucket contents. The issue is high severity but conditional, so urgency depends on whether untrusted object keys reach downloadDirectory.
Technical view
AWS SDK for Java v1 before 1.12.261 has CWE-22 partial path traversal in S3 TransferManager.downloadDirectory. The flawed key validation can allow S3 object keys containing UNIX double-dot sequences to escape the intended directory under prefix-matching conditions.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to applications using com.amazonaws:aws-java-sdk-s3 version 1.12.260 or earlier and calling TransferManager.downloadDirectory on bucket contents where object keys may be untrusted or attacker influenced.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not report active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. Exploitation requires specific application behavior, influence over S3 object keys, and the documented partial-prefix filesystem condition.
Researcher notes
The traversal is partial: for destination /tmp/foo, sources state writing to /tmp/foo-bar may be possible, but not /tmp/bar. The patch is version 1.12.261; the documented workaround is a KeyFilter blocking keys containing '..'.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade AWS SDK for Java v1 to version 1.12.261 or later.
- Add a KeyFilter rejecting S3ObjectSummary.getKey values containing '..'.
- Avoid using downloadDirectory with untrusted bucket contents until remediated.
- Review AWS advisory guidance for any application-specific constraints.
Validation and detection
- Inventory com.amazonaws:aws-java-sdk-s3 dependency versions across Java services.
- Search code for TransferManager.downloadDirectory usage.
- Confirm whether downloaded S3 object keys can be externally controlled.
- Verify any KeyFilter blocks keys containing '..'.
- Add regression tests for unsafe S3 key rejection.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-31159 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L1.36Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.9HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/aws/aws-sdk-java/security/advisories/GHSA-c28r-hw5m-5gv3CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
