CVE-2026-81849

Path traversal in the aws:downloadContent plugin in amazon-ssm-agent

Published Aug 28, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.7 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory in the aws:downloadContent plugin in amazon-ssm-agent before 3.3.4515.0 might allow an authenticated remote user whose ssm:SendCommand permission is restricted to the AWS-DownloadContent document, to write arbitrary files outside the intended download directory with root privileges, via crafted object keys in the S3 source the document is directed to retrieve. This issue may lead to arbitrary code execution as root if specific sensitive files are overwritten.



To remediate this issue, customers should upgrade amazon-ssm-agent to version 3.3.4515.0 or later.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Amazon amazon Ssm Agent
Vendors & Products Amazon amazon Ssm Agent
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory in the aws:downloadContent plugin in amazon-ssm-agent before 3.3.4515.0 might allow an authenticated remote user whose ssm:SendCommand permission is restricted to the AWS-DownloadContent document, to write arbitrary files outside the intended download directory with root privileges, via crafted object keys in the S3 source the document is directed to retrieve. This issue may lead to arbitrary code execution as root if specific sensitive files are overwritten. To remediate this issue, customers should upgrade amazon-ssm-agent to version 3.3.4515.0 or later.
Title Path traversal in the aws:downloadContent plugin in amazon-ssm-agent
First Time appeared Amazon
Amazon amazon-ssm-agent
Weaknesses CWE-23
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:amazon:amazon-ssm-agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Amazon
Amazon amazon-ssm-agent
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
AMZN
Published
Updated
Aug 31, 2026, 6:44 PM
Reserved
Aug 27, 2026, 4:22 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Aug 28, 2026, 8:20 PM
Modified
Aug 31, 2026, 7:17 PM