CVE-2026-54574

`proot-distro install` has a Symlink Escape (Arbitrary Host File Write) via Malicious Tar Archive

Published Jul 29, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.2 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
proot-distro is a utility for managing proot containers. Prior to version 5.1.5, proot-distro install extracted plain tarball root filesystems through _extract_plain_tar() in proot_distro/commands/install.py and Docker layers through _apply_layer() in proot_distro/helpers/docker.py without validating archive-controlled symlink targets in member.linkname, allowing a malicious archive to plant an absolute host-path symlink and write files through it onto the host filesystem. This issue is fixed in version 5.1.5.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-9xq3-3fqg-4vg7 `proot-distro install` has a Symlink Escape (Arbitrary Host File Write) via Malicious Tar Archive
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Termux
Termux proot-distro
Vendors & Products Termux
Termux proot-distro
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description proot-distro is a utility for managing proot containers. Prior to version 5.1.5, proot-distro install extracted plain tarball root filesystems through _extract_plain_tar() in proot_distro/commands/install.py and Docker layers through _apply_layer() in proot_distro/helpers/docker.py without validating archive-controlled symlink targets in member.linkname, allowing a malicious archive to plant an absolute host-path symlink and write files through it onto the host filesystem. This issue is fixed in version 5.1.5.
Title `proot-distro install` has a Symlink Escape (Arbitrary Host File Write) via Malicious Tar Archive
Weaknesses CWE-61
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Jul 29, 2026, 7:24 PM
Reserved
Jun 15, 2026, 7:15 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jul 29, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Oct 24, 2026, 1:10 PM