# CVE-2026-115207: Patch: filename validation bypass in reversal fallback allows file creation outside the working directory

Status: published. Published: 2026-10-22. Updated: 2026-11-02.

A flaw was found in GNU patch. An attacker can achieve arbitrary file creation outside the intended working directory by enticing a user or automated workflow to apply a specially crafted patch file. Due to missing validation during automatic patch reversal, absolute file paths in patch headers are accepted rather than rejected. Consequently, the utility can create files in arbitrary locations with the permissions of the executing user.

## Remediation

- workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability. (source: CNA: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Hardened Images (patch): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 5.5 (medium); CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 0.14% as of 2026-11-02; percentile 3.21%

- SSVC: exploitation none; automatable no; technical impact partial; source ADP: CISA-ADP

- Weaknesses: CWE-22

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-115207 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2558775 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/26/14 (ADP: CVE)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-115207; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated 2026-11-02

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-115207; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated Not reported

Revision: f2e61cf019769816923be4ba44548c8b702ca2481506631bd718793d42578eab

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-115207

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