Phantom: Arbitrary file write and decode-bomb DoS via unconfined MCP tool paths
### Impact In Phantom <= 1.3.0, when `PHANTOM_OUTPUT_DIR` was unset (the default), the MCP tools accepted arbitrary absolute output paths with no confinement. Anything able to send tool calls (e.g. an AI agent driving the MCP interface) could **write or overwrite arbitrary files** the process user can write โ including shell startup files (`~/.zshr...
CVSS 7.7 LOW. SENTINEL APEX recommends immediate patch evaluation. Intelligence from 1 confirmed source(s).
๐ Executive Summary
This report analyzes GHSA-9e2d0dff1b462d3c affecting pip phantom-audio (CVSS 7.7, LOW severity). No confirmed in-the-wild exploitation at the time of writing; prioritize on exposure, privilege, and CVSS. Corroborated across 1 source(s): github_advisories. Verify all specifics against the primary sources linked below before acting.
๐งฎ Severity Anatomy โ CVSS 3.1 vector, decoded from the primary record
The base score summarizes severity in one number; the vector explains why. Each row below is a direct read of the official CVSS vector โ verifiable against the NVD record.
| Metric | Value | What it means for defenders |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Vector | Local AV:L |
Requires local access โ a shell, session, or local file/app interaction. |
| Attack Complexity | Low AC:L |
No special conditions โ reliably repeatable by an attacker. |
| Privileges Required | None PR:N |
No authentication needed โ pre-auth exploitation. |
| User Interaction | None UI:N |
No victim action required โ fully automatable. |
| Scope | Unchanged S:U |
Impact confined to the vulnerable component. |
| Confidentiality Impact | High C:H |
Total loss of confidentiality โ full data disclosure possible. |
| Integrity Impact | High I:H |
Total loss of integrity โ attacker can modify any data. |
| Availability Impact | None A:N |
No availability impact. |
๐งฌ Weakness Anatomy โ CWE-22, the underlying flaw class
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-22: Path Traversal in the primary record. The mechanics below are characteristic of this weakness class (per the MITRE CWE corpus), not a claim about a specific exploit observed against your environment.
| How it's exploited | Attacker uses ../ sequences or absolute paths to access files outside the intended directory, reading or writing arbitrary files. |
| Detect & prevent | Canonicalize and confine paths to a safe root; reject traversal sequences. Detect via web logs for ../ and encoded-traversal patterns. |
โ ๏ธ Business Impact Analysis
- โ ๏ธ pip phantom-audio users face material security risk requiring immediate remediation
๐ Representative Attack Path
A typical attack path for this vulnerability class, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK. This is a representative model to guide detection and defense โ not a claim of observed activity against a specific target. Confirm specifics against the primary sources below.
| # | Phase | Attacker Action | MITRE |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Reconnaissance | Attacker identifies exposed phantom-audio instances via Shodan, Censys, or targeted scanning | TA0043 |
2 |
Initial Access | Exploitation of GHSA-9e2d0dff1b462d3c in pip phantom-audio | T1190 |
3 |
Execution | Remote code execution achieved โ attacker runs arbitrary commands on target system | T1203 |
4 |
Persistence | Backdoor, scheduled task, or new admin account created for persistent access | T1053 |
5 |
Command & Control | Attacker establishes persistent C2 channel using HTTPS or DNS tunneling | T1071 |
6 |
Impact / Objectives | Intellectual property theft, espionage, cryptomining, or preparation for future attack stage | T1657 |
โ Deep Dive Analysis
This high-severity vulnerability in pip phantom-audio (CVSS 7.7) represents a significant attack surface. SENTINEL APEX assesses exploitation to be technically feasible with moderate effort. Organizations running phantom-audio in internet-facing or privileged positions face immediate risk.
SENTINEL APEX URGENCY: ELEVATED. Score: 43/100 LOW. Patch before exploitation activity begins.
๐ง Structured Intelligence Assessment
SENTINEL APEX analytical tradecraft separates verified fact from labeled assessment and states intelligence gaps explicitly. Confidence reflects evidentiary support, not certainty.
โ Verified Facts
- Affected technology: pip phantom-audio.
- CVSS base score of 7.7 assigned by an authoritative source.
๐ธ๏ธ Correlated Observations
- Vendor pip has been targeted in 12 prior CYBERDUDEBIVASH reports (recurring target)
๐งฉ Analyst Assessments
- MEDIUM CONF Technical severity is assessed as high (CVSS 7.7); realized business impact depends on asset exposure and data classification.
โ Intelligence Gaps
- No confirmed public IOCs are available at report time; detection currently relies on behavioral analytics.
- In-the-wild exploitation is unconfirmed as of this report.
- Attribution to a specific threat actor is not established by the available evidence.
- The source lacks sufficient technical detail for confident MITRE ATT&CK mapping.
๐ฎ Forward Outlook
- MEDIUM CONF Given the repeated targeting pattern, further activity against this vendor/sector is probable.
๐งฌ Prior Intelligence Context
This report is correlated against CYBERDUDEBIVASH SENTINEL APEX's persistent analyst memory. The following entities have been tracked in prior intelligence:
- Vendor pip โ previously observed 12 times in CYBERDUDEBIVASH intelligence since 2026-07-06 (recent: cve-2026-49477-pip-soupsieve, cve-2026-49476-pip-soupsieve)
๐ฏ MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
| Category | Mapping |
|---|---|
| Primary Tactic | Initial Access |
| Primary Technique | T1190 โ Exploit Public-Facing Application |
| Sub-Technique | T1203 โ Exploitation for Client Execution |
| Weakness (CWE) | CWE-22 |
| Intel Type | ๐ด CVE ANALYSIS |
| Source(s) | github_advisories |
๐ Detection Rules โ Sigma (SIEM)
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๐ก Detection Rules โ YARA (Endpoint)
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๐ Executive Advisory โ CISO / Security Leadership
- Affected technology: pip phantom-audio.
- CVSS base score of 7.7 assigned by an authoritative source.
| Owner | Decision | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| CISO / SOC Lead | Authorize response activation and detection deployment | Within 24h |
| Vulnerability Mgmt | Prioritize remediation/patching of pip assets | Within 7 days |
| Legal / Privacy | Assess regulatory notification obligations if in-scope data is at risk | Within 48h |
๐ Board Brief
- A high-severity cyber threat affects pip phantom-audio.
- Technical severity is rated 7.7/10.
- Primary exposure is operational disruption, data loss, and potential regulatory liability (e.g. GDPR, NIS2, DORA, SOC 2) where in-scope systems are affected.
- Mitigation depends on vendor guidance and compensating controls.
- Recommended posture: authorize prioritized remediation and confirm detection coverage with the security team.
๐ก SOC Bulletin
Severity HIGH ยท Detection coverage: 0 technique(s) across behavioral analytics ยท 0 network rule(s)
- P1: Sweep 14 days of telemetry for the mapped ATT&CK techniques.
- P2: Update threat-intel platform and downstream detection feeds with confirmed indicators.
๐ก๏ธ SOC Response Playbook
- 1IMMEDIATE (0-1hr): Identify all instances of phantom-audio in your environment via CMDB/asset inventory
- 2IMMEDIATE (0-1hr): Apply vendor patch โ no maintenance window exception for LOW threats
- 3IMMEDIATE (1-2hr): If no patch available: implement WAF rules, ACLs, or network-level compensating controls
- 4SHORT-TERM (2-4hr): Deploy Sigma detection rule to SIEM โ validate alert generation in test environment
- 5SHORT-TERM (4-8hr): Review logs for exploitation indicators (anomalous phantom-audio requests, error spikes)
- 6SHORT-TERM (8-24hr): Hunt for post-exploitation: new admin accounts, scheduled tasks, lateral movement
- 7MONITOR: Subscribe to pip security advisories for patch updates
- 8ONGOING: Track SENTINEL APEX intelligence feed for follow-on campaigns targeting phantom-audio
๐ Intelligence References
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-52vm-mxx8-f227
- github.com/fadelabs/phantom/security/advisories/GHSA-52vm-mxx8-f227
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-52vm-mxx8-f227
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Report ID: SENTINEL-GHSA-9e2d0dff1b462d3c-2026-07-09 | Priority: 43/100 LOW | Sources: 1
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