CVE-2026-40258
Received Received - Intake
Path Traversal (Zip Slip) in Gramps Web API Allows Arbitrary File Write

Publication date: 2026-04-17

Last updated on: 2026-04-17

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description
The Gramps Web API is a Python REST API for the genealogical research software Gramps. Versions 1.6.0 through 3.11.0 have a path traversal vulnerability (Zip Slip) in the media archive import feature. An authenticated user with owner-level privileges can craft a malicious ZIP file with directory-traversal filenames to write arbitrary files outside the intended temporary extraction directory on the server's local filesystem. Startig in version 3.11.1, ZIP entry names are now validated against the resolved real path of the temporary directory before extraction. Any entry whose resolved path falls outside the temporary directory raises an error and aborts the import.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-04-17
Last Modified
2026-04-17
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-04-18
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-40258
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
gramps gramps From 1.6.0 (inc) to 3.11.0 (inc)
gramps gramps From 3.11.1 (inc)
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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

The vulnerability exists in the Gramps Web API versions 1.6.0 through 3.11.0, specifically in the media archive import feature. It is a path traversal vulnerability known as Zip Slip. An authenticated user with owner-level privileges can create a malicious ZIP file containing directory-traversal filenames. When this ZIP file is imported, it can cause files to be written outside the intended temporary extraction directory on the server's local filesystem.

Starting from version 3.11.1, this issue is mitigated by validating ZIP entry names against the resolved real path of the temporary directory before extraction. If any entry's resolved path falls outside the temporary directory, an error is raised and the import is aborted.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have severe impacts because it allows an authenticated user with owner-level privileges to write arbitrary files anywhere on the server's local filesystem outside the intended directory. This can lead to unauthorized modification or overwriting of critical files, potentially resulting in system compromise, data corruption, or denial of service.

Given the CVSS base score of 9.1, the vulnerability is considered critical, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, you should upgrade the Gramps Web API to version 3.11.1 or later.

Starting from version 3.11.1, ZIP entry names are validated against the resolved real path of the temporary directory before extraction, preventing path traversal attacks.

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows an authenticated user with owner-level privileges to perform a path traversal attack via crafted ZIP files, enabling arbitrary file writes outside the intended directory on the server's filesystem.

Such unauthorized file writes could lead to unauthorized access, modification, or destruction of sensitive data, which may impact compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA that require strict controls over data integrity and confidentiality.

However, the provided information does not explicitly state the direct impact on compliance with these standards.

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