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CVE-2026-28701 – Path Traversal / Unauthenticated File System Enumeration – Daktronics VFC-DMP-50…

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Summary

CVE-2026-28701 is a critical path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in Daktronics VFC-DMP-5000, DMP-5000, and DMP-8000 controller firmware, carrying a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). The flaw allows both unauthenticated and authenticated remote users to escape the intended directory and enumerate arbitrary file system paths via the device’s HTTP-accessible web management interface. CISA issued ICS advisory ICSA-26-176-04 for this vulnerability, noting that this flaw — in combination with companion vulnerabilities disclosed in the same advisory — could provide an unauthenticated attacker with complete root-level access and control of the system.

Technical details

  • Root cause: Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (CWE-22) in the Daktronics controller firmware web interface; the application fails to sanitize user-supplied path components before resolving them on the underlying file system.
  • Trigger conditions: No authentication is required to trigger the path traversal; an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the device’s HTTP management port can send a crafted request referencing directory traversal sequences to escape the web root.
  • Attack vector: Remote, over the network (AV:N); no user interaction required; no privileges required.
  • Impact: Successful exploitation enables enumeration and read access to arbitrary file system paths. When chained with companion vulnerabilities in ICSA-26-176-04 — including hard-coded default administrative credentials (CVE-2026-31928, CVSS 8.1) and unrestricted file upload (CVE-2026-33560, CVSS 7.1) — a complete unauthenticated root-level compromise of the device is achievable. Daktronics VFC-DMP-5000 devices are transportation/ICS display controllers and their compromise can directly impact physical infrastructure operations.

Affected software

  • Daktronics VFC-DMP-5000 – all firmware versions prior to v8.117.x.x, v9.43.x.x, and v10.34.x.x
  • Daktronics DMP-5000 – all firmware versions prior to v8.117.x.x, v9.43.x.x, and v10.34.x.x
  • Daktronics DMP-8000 – all firmware versions prior to v8.117.x.x, v9.43.x.x, and v10.34.x.x

Severity

CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate – Apply vendor firmware update: Upgrade to the patched firmware release corresponding to your device branch:
    • v8.117.0.x
    • v9.43.0.x
    • v10.34.0.x
  • Change default credentials: CISA and Daktronics both advise immediately changing any default passwords and enforcing strong, unique credentials per device — particularly given that CVE-2026-31928 in the same advisory covers hard-coded default administrative credentials.
  • Network isolation: Place affected devices behind a firewall and restrict direct internet exposure. The HTTP management interface should not be accessible from untrusted networks.
  • Access control: Limit network access to the web management interface to authorized management hosts only.

IONIX Status

The IONIX research team is tracking ongoing exploitation attempts and recommends immediate patching. Potentially affected assets are outlined in this post.

References

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