Evil-WinRM - Path Traversal in download_dir() Function
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Active
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Evil-WinRM through 3.9, fixed in commit 6ecd570, contains a path traversal vulnerability in the download_dir() function that allows a rogue or compromised remote Windows server to write files outside the intended download directory by returning filenames with traversal sequences from Get-ChildItem command output that are passed unsanitized to File.join(). Attackers controlling the remote server can exploit this to overwrite sensitive client-side files such as SSH authorized_keys or shell configuration files, achieving persistent access or privilege escalation on the client machine.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackplayers | evil-winrm | up to 3.9 | — | Patch available | CNA |
- evil-winrm VendorHackplayers Affected up to 3.9 Fixed in — Patch available CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-55201
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-fpgm-mcvj-627x
References
Patch 2
Sources
- CVE-2026-55201 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-55201 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-fpgm-mcvj-627x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences