CVE-2026-90616

flatpak: Flatpak: Arbitrary code execution via missing symlink protection

Published Sep 12, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.4 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In Flatpak before 1.18.1, a malicious sandboxed app can obtain arbitrary read and write access to files on the host, which can be escalated to arbitrary code execution on the host, a different vulnerability than CVE-2026-76925. Flatpak creates a few app data directories (e.g., /var/cache, /var/data, /var/config, and /var/tmp) in every sandbox on every app launch where, in some cases, components of the path are attacker-controlled. Missing symlink protection can redirect the directories. Some of these directories are bind-mounted by Flatpak by passing the path (e.g., /home/user/.var/app/APP_ID/cache/tmp), which contains attacker-controlled directories (tmp) to bwrap --bind SRC DST. bwrap passes the path on to the kernel, which then follows symlinks. A malicious symlink can point to arbitrary locations on the host and it will become mounted inside the sandbox.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/478072972056d2d15c768c246f80abdf83cf0e5e

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6524-1 flatpak security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Flatpak Sandbox Symlink Injection Enables Arbitrary Host File Access and Code Execution flatpak: Flatpak: Arbitrary code execution via missing symlink protection
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Flatpak Sandbox Symlink Injection Enables Arbitrary Host File Access and Code Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Flatpak Improper Symlink Handling Enables Filesystem Exploitation and Arbitrary Code Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Flatpak Improper Symlink Handling Enables Filesystem Exploitation and Arbitrary Code Execution
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In Flatpak before 1.18.1, a malicious sandboxed app can obtain arbitrary read and write access to files on the host, which can be escalated to arbitrary code execution on the host, a different vulnerability than CVE-2026-76925. Flatpak creates a few app data directories (e.g., /var/cache, /var/data, /var/config, and /var/tmp) in every sandbox on every app launch where, in some cases, components of the path are attacker-controlled. Missing symlink protection can redirect the directories. Some of these directories are bind-mounted by Flatpak by passing the path (e.g., /home/user/.var/app/APP_ID/cache/tmp), which contains attacker-controlled directories (tmp) to bwrap --bind SRC DST. bwrap passes the path on to the kernel, which then follows symlinks. A malicious symlink can point to arbitrary locations on the host and it will become mounted inside the sandbox.
First Time appeared Flatpak
Flatpak flatpak
Weaknesses CWE-61
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:flatpak:flatpak:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Flatpak
Flatpak flatpak
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Sep 14, 2026, 6:22 PM
Reserved
Sep 12, 2026, 8:00 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 12, 2026, 8:16 PM
Modified
Sep 22, 2026, 7:56 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Sep 12, 2026, 8:00 PM