CVE-2026-53542

Received Received - Intake

Command Injection in Termix via Tar Archive Creation

Publication date: 2026-08-19

Last updated on: 2026-08-25

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description

Termix is a web-based server management platform with SSH terminal, tunneling, and file editing capabilities. Prior to 2.3.2, the archive creation endpoint in src/backend/ssh/file-manager.ts passes selected file basenames to tar without an end-of-options marker and without making the operands unambiguously relative. A user with access to an SSH file-manager session can select basenames beginning with GNU tar options such as --checkpoint=1 and --checkpoint-action=exec, causing tar, tar.gz, tar.bz2, or tar.xz creation to interpret those names as options. The resulting checkpoint action executes commands on the managed SSH host with the privileges of the connected SSH account, allowing file disclosure, modification, and service disruption. This issue is fixed in version 2.3.2.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published

2026-08-19

Last Modified

2026-08-25

Generated

2026-09-09

AI Q&A

2026-08-20

EPSS Evaluated

2026-09-07

NVD

CVE-2026-53542

EUVD

EUVD-2026-62858

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
termix	termix	2.3.2

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-78	The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

Termix before 2.3.2 has a flaw in its archive creation feature. When creating tar archives, it passes file basenames directly to the tar command without proper sanitization or an end-of-options marker. This allows attackers with SSH file-manager access to craft filenames starting with tar options like --checkpoint=1, which tar interprets as commands to execute on the server. This can lead to arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the connected SSH account.

Detection Guidance

Check if Termix is running version 2.3.2 or later. Inspect logs for unusual tar command executions with options like --checkpoint or --checkpoint-action in file operations.

Impact Analysis

If you use Termix versions before 2.3.2, an attacker with SSH file-manager access could exploit this to run commands on your server. This could allow them to read, modify, or delete files, disrupt services, or escalate privileges. The impact depends on the permissions of the SSH account used to access Termix.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and data breaches, violating GDPR's integrity and confidentiality principles or HIPAA's safeguards for protected health information. Organizations using affected Termix versions may face compliance violations, legal penalties, and reputational damage if exploited.

Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade Termix to version 2.3.2 or later immediately. Restrict SSH file-manager access to trusted users only. Monitor for unauthorized file modifications or command executions.

Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-53542. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.

0/70