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TI-2026-81943 Aliases CVE-2026-118485GHSA-gww9-3rx9-535x

Path traversal in Axel Download Accelerator via URL filename decoding

Priority LOW 32CWE-24Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Active
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
None · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

Axel Download Accelerator 2.17.14 and earlier is affected. The software percent-decodes the output filename after the URL has been parsed, so encoded directory sequences become real traversal sequences before the file is opened (CWE-24). A remote attacker can supply a crafted URL, with user interaction required, that makes axel write downloaded content to arbitrary paths relative to the current working directory.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29

Description from the CNA

Axel Download Accelerator 2.17.14 and earlier performs URL percent-decoding (http_decode()) on the output filename after the URL has been parsed and the filename component extracted. This allows an attacker to embed %2e%2e%2f (URL-encoded ../) sequences in the URL path. These sequences survive the URL parser intact (they contain no literal / characters) but are decoded into directory traversal sequences before the output file is opened for writing. As a result, a crafted URL can cause axel to write downloaded content to arbitrary filesystem paths relative to the current working directory.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.0056 46th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

No affected products listed by the sources yet.

Remediation

The sources list no fixed version for Axel.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-28 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-118485
  2. 2026-10-28 Alias added: GHSA-gww9-3rx9-535x
  3. 2026-10-30 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
  4. 2026-11-06 CISA SSVC decision points changed

References

Patch 1

Advisory 2

Other 1

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences