CVE-2026-13723
Received Received - Intake

Unicode Normalization Collision in app-builder File Overwrite

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-13723, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-07-29

Last updated on: 2026-07-29

Assigner: CERT/CC

Description

A vulnerability in the `zipx.Unzip` extraction routine of Develar's app-builder allows an attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on macOS APFS by exploiting a Unicode Normalization Collision combined with symlink following behavior. APFS treats certain Unicode equivalent filenames as identical (e.g., ß ↔ ss), while app builder performs no canonical normalization before validating or writing paths. As a result, a crafted ZIP archive containing: β€’ a symlink entry named ss pointing to a target file, and β€’ a regular file named ß containing attacker controlled data, will cause the second write to follow the symlink and overwrite the target file.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-07-29
Last Modified
2026-07-29
Generated
2026-07-30
AI Q&A
2026-07-30
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
develar app-builder *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-59 The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
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.

Attack-Flow Graph

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves a flaw in Develar's app-builder where a crafted ZIP archive can overwrite arbitrary files on macOS APFS systems. It exploits Unicode Normalization Collision and symlink following. APFS treats certain Unicode equivalent filenames as identical, while app-builder does not normalize paths before writing them. A ZIP with a symlink named 'ss' and a file named 'ß' can cause the file write to follow the symlink and overwrite a target file.

Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability requires checking for ZIP archives containing Unicode normalization collisions or symlink entries that could overwrite files. Inspect archives for filenames using equivalent Unicode characters (e.g., ß and ss) or symlinks targeting sensitive files. Use tools like 'unzip -l archive.zip' to list contents and verify paths.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to overwrite critical system files, application files, or user data, leading to data corruption, denial of service, or unauthorized code execution. Users of Develar's app-builder on macOS are at risk if they process untrusted ZIP archives.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data modification or destruction, violating integrity requirements in GDPR and HIPAA. Organizations may face compliance violations if sensitive data is overwritten or corrupted due to exploitation of this flaw.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately stop using app-builder for ZIP extraction. Update to a patched version if available. Avoid opening untrusted ZIP files. Use alternative tools like 'ditto' or 'unzip' with strict path validation. Monitor for unauthorized file modifications.

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