Affected: pyload

pyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. From version 0.4.0 to before version 0.5.0b3.dev97, the set_config_value() API endpoint allows users with the non-admin SETTINGS permission to modify any configuration option without restriction. The reconnect.script config option controls a file path that is passed directly to subprocess.run() in the thread manager's reconnect logic. A SETTINGS user can set this to any executable file on the system, achieving Remote Code Execution. The only validation in set_config_value() is a hardcoded check for general.storage_folder — all other security-critical settings including reconnect.script are writable without any allowlist or path restriction. This issue has been patched in version 0.5.0b3.dev97.

Affected: PyPI: pyload-ng

## Summary

The `set_config_value()` API endpoint allows users with the non-admin `SETTINGS` permission to modify any configuration option without restriction. The `reconnect.script` config option controls a file path that is passed directly to `subprocess.run()` in the thread manager's reconnect logic. A SETTINGS user can set this to any executable file on the system, achieving Remote Code Execution. The only validation in `set_config_value()` is a hardcoded check for `general.storage_folder` — all other security-critical settings including `reconnect.script` are writable without any allowlist or path restriction.

## Details

The vulnerability chain spans two components:

**1. Unrestricted config write — `src/pyload/core/api/__init__.py:210-243`**

```python @permission(Perms.SETTINGS) @post def set_config_value(self, category: str, option: str, value: Any, section: str = "core") -> None: self.pyload.addon_manager.dispatch_event( "config_changed", category, option, value, section ) if section == "core": if category == "general" and option == "storage_folder": # Forbid setting the download folder inside dangerous locations # ... validation only for storage_folder ... return

self.pyload.config.set(category, option, value) # No validation for any other option ```

The `Perms.SETTINGS` permission (value 128) is a non-admin permission flag. The only hardcoded validation is for `general.storage_folder`. Th…