CVE-2026-92162
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Path Traversal in Flatpak Prior to 1.18.1

Publication date: 2026-10-20

Last updated on: 2026-10-20

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description
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.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-20
Last Modified
2026-10-20
Generated
2026-11-09
AI Q&A
2026-10-20
EPSS Evaluated
2026-11-08
NVD
CVE-2026-92162
EUVD
EUVD-2026-105030

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
flatpak flatpak < 1.18.1

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-22 The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

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Executive Summary

CVE-2026-92162 is a path traversal vulnerability in Flatpak versions 1.18.0 and earlier. It occurs due to unvalidated 'arch' parameter input in the DeployAppstream function. On systems with at least one OCI remote configured (common in Fedora), a local attacker could exploit this to trick the flatpak-system-helper process into creating root-owned directories outside the intended root directory. These directories could include contents from the OCI remote, a lock file, and an icons directory. If combined with other vulnerabilities fixed in version 1.18.1, this could lead to local root privilege escalation.

Detection Guidance

Check Flatpak version with 'flatpak --version'. If version is 1.18.0 or earlier, the system is vulnerable. On systems with OCI remotes configured, inspect directories outside intended root for unexpected root-owned directories or files.

Impact Analysis

On affected systems with OCI remotes configured, a local attacker could escalate privileges to root by exploiting this vulnerability in combination with other issues. This could allow unauthorized access to system files, installation of malicious software, or complete system compromise. Systems without OCI remotes configured are not vulnerable.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability primarily affects local system integrity by allowing path traversal and potential root privilege escalation on systems with OCI remotes configured. It does not directly impact data confidentiality or privacy controls required by GDPR or HIPAA. However, if exploited, it could lead to unauthorized system access, which might indirectly affect compliance by compromising secure environments handling sensitive data.

Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade Flatpak to version 1.18.1 or later immediately. Remove or disable any unnecessary OCI remotes if present. Verify no unexpected root-owned directories exist outside intended paths.

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