CVE-2026-85518

Openscap: openscap: arbitrary file write via path traversal in source datastream decomposition

Published Oct 21, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.1 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSCAP. When decomposing a Source DataStream (SDS) file, the application does not properly validate relative file path attributes, leading to a path traversal vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this flaw by tricking a user or automated system into decomposing a crafted datastream containing directory traversal sequences. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized file creation or modification outside the intended target directory with the permissions of the executing process.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Avoid extracting or decomposing untrusted SCAP Source DataStream (SDS) files. When processing externally supplied datastreams is necessary, perform the operation inside an isolated directory using a dedicated unprivileged user account or container sandbox with strictly bounded write privileges. Caveat: Operating under an unprivileged user confines rogue file creation to that user's access scope, but does not prevent file corruption within directories accessible to that account.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openscap
Openscap openscap
Red Hat
Red Hat enterprise Linux
Redhat hardened Images
Vendors & Products Openscap
Openscap openscap
Red Hat
Red Hat enterprise Linux
Redhat hardened Images
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Els
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in OpenSCAP. When decomposing a Source DataStream (SDS) file, the application does not properly validate relative file path attributes, leading to a path traversal vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this flaw by tricking a user or automated system into decomposing a crafted datastream containing directory traversal sequences. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized file creation or modification outside the intended target directory with the permissions of the executing process.
Title Openscap: openscap: arbitrary file write via path traversal in source datastream decomposition
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Weaknesses CWE-22
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:hummingbird:1
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 1:08 AM
Reserved
Sep 4, 2026, 6:10 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 21, 2026, 8:17 PM
Modified
Nov 6, 2026, 1:17 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 21, 2026, 3:04 PM