CVE-2026-85518
Openscap: openscap: arbitrary file write via path traversal in source datastream decomposition
- 6.1MediumCVSS base score
- 0.45%Exploitation in 30 daysEPSS · top 61% of all CVEs
- NoKnown exploitednot in CISA's KEV catalog
- YesPublic exploitsa reference or SSVC says so
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.
Public exploit
An exploit or proof of concept is public: anyone can try it against an unpatched system. A reference of the record is tagged as an exploit. CISA's SSVC rates its exploitation: a proof of concept is public.
Show the exploits1
References tagged exploit1 reference
- RHBZ#2478522 (opens in a new tab)issue-trackingx_refsource_REDHATexploit
Timeline
ID reserved
By redhat
- 47 days later
· 47 days later
Published
- 16 days later
· 16 days later
Record updated
Changes after publication (a new score, a public exploit, EPSS crossing 1, 10 or 50 %, leaving KEV) are kept since November 2026; earlier ones are not known.
Scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| redhatCNA (assigner) | 3.1 | Medium6.1 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L |
| NVDNVD · Awaiting Analysis | 3.1 | Medium6.1 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L |
- EPSS (exploitation in 30 days)
- 0.45% · top 61% of all CVEs (12 Nov 2026)
- CISA SSVC
- Exploitation: poc · Automatable: no · Technical impact: partial
The list uses the assigner's score when there is one, then CISA's, then NVD's: Medium 6.1.
Affected products
Red Hat · Red Hat Hardened Images
- unaffected 1.4.5-2.1.hum1 – < *
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
All versions: affected
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
All versions: unknown
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
All versions: affected
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
All versions: affected
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
All versions: affected
What to do
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.
References
References3
- RHSA-2026:88330 (opens in a new tab)vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-85518 (opens in a new tab)vdb-entryx_refsource_REDHAT
- RHBZ#2478522 (opens in a new tab)issue-trackingx_refsource_REDHATexploit
Sources
The same CVE in the primary databases and aggregators, to check against.
- CVE.org record (opens in a new tab)
- CVE List JSON (GitHub) (opens in a new tab)
- NVD (opens in a new tab)
- FIRST EPSS (opens in a new tab)
- EUVD EUVD-2026-107542 (opens in a new tab)
- OSV.dev (opens in a new tab)
- GitHub Advisories (opens in a new tab)
- CIRCL Vulnerability-Lookup (opens in a new tab)
Badge for a README or a ticket
[](https://cveledger.app/cve/CVE-2026-85518)Record last updated .