CVE-2026-41991

Predictable Temporary File in GNU gzip

Published Jun 29, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 2 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
GNU gzip contains a vulnerability in the gzexe utility related to insecure temporary file handling. When the mktemp utility is not available in the user’s PATH, gzexe falls back to constructing a temporary file path based solely on the process ID (PID). This predictable filename is created without exclusive access or existence checks.
A local attacker can pre‑create the predicted temporary file path as a symbolic link pointing to an arbitrary file writable by the victim. When gzexe runs, it follows the symlink and overwrites the target file, resulting in a time‑of‑check to time‑of‑use (TOCTOU) condition that allows arbitrary file overwrite.

This issue has been fixed in the commit 4e6f8b24ab823146ab8776f0b7fe486ab34d4269

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8512-1 Gzip vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8733-2 Gzip vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Gnu
Gnu gzip
Vendors & Products Gnu
Gnu gzip
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description GNU gzip contains a vulnerability in the gzexe utility related to insecure temporary file handling. When the mktemp utility is not available in the user’s PATH, gzexe falls back to constructing a temporary file path based solely on the process ID (PID). This predictable filename is created without exclusive access or existence checks. A local attacker can pre‑create the predicted temporary file path as a symbolic link pointing to an arbitrary file writable by the victim. When gzexe runs, it follows the symlink and overwrites the target file, resulting in a time‑of‑check to time‑of‑use (TOCTOU) condition that allows arbitrary file overwrite. This issue has been fixed in the commit 4e6f8b24ab823146ab8776f0b7fe486ab34d4269
Title Predictable Temporary File in GNU gzip
Weaknesses CWE-377
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
CERT-PL
Published
Updated
Jun 29, 2026, 1:31 PM
Reserved
Apr 23, 2026, 8:06 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jun 29, 2026, 12:16 PM
Modified
Oct 25, 2026, 9:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jun 29, 2026, 10:15 AM