Path traversal in Flatpak lets local users create root-owned trees
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 4 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Flatpak before 1.18.1 does not validate the arch parameter in the DeployAppstream function (CWE-22). A local user in an active session can use a crafted architecture name to make flatpak-system-helper create root-owned directories outside the intended root directory, but only when at least one OCI remote is configured. Combined with other flaws fixed in 1.18.1, this can lead to local root privilege escalation.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Description from the CNA
Flatpak is a system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux. Prior to version 1.18.1, on systems where at least one OCI remote is configured (most common on Fedora systems), a malicious local user in an active local session could use a crafted architecture name to trick the `flatpak-system-helper` process into creating a root-owned directory tree with contents determined by the OCI remote, plus a root-owned `lock` file and `icons` directory, outside the intended root directory. If this vulnerability is combined with other vulnerabilities also fixed in 1.18.1, the combination can lead to local root privilege escalation. This particular vulnerability is not believed to be exploitable if there are no OCI remotes configured (common on non-Fedora systems). Version 1.18.1 patches the issue.
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
Remediation
Update Flatpak to version 1.18.1, which patches the issue. Red Hat rates this Important and lists Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 and 10 as affected, with no fix plan available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
- Fix · CNA flatpak (flatpak) Fixed in 1.18.1
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
Timeline
- 2026-10-20 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-92162
- 2026-11-02 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-02 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
Other 5
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/security/advisories/GHSA-v2gw-v9h5-9q4x
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/pull/6768
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/01773f84021dd090b2426f79675f94f2564f9279
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/19456b916842b079af833a86b9ab89c5db154b92
- https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/commit/aeb369a2723506fabc1f701ef7a0dc6c97c4b983
More flatpak vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-28833 flatpak-builder has a path traversal leading to arbitrary file read on host when installing licence files CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
- TI-2026-26401 Flatpak has a complete sandbox escape leading to host file access and code execution in the host context CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2024-28440 Flatpak may allow access to files outside sandbox for certain apps CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2023-12679 TIOCLINUX can send commands outside sandbox if running on a virtual console CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-79756 Path traversal in XDG Desktop Portal allows arbitrary file access CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-26402 Flatpak affected by arbitrary file deletion on the host filesystem CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
Sources
- CVE-2026-92162 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-92162 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- CVE-2026-92162 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences