CVE-2026-118485
Axel Download Accelerator Path Traversal via URL Filename Decoding
Axel Download Accelerator 2.17.14 and earlier performs URL percent-decoding (http_decode()) on the output filename after the URL has been parsed and the filename component extracted. This allows an attacker to embed %2e%2e%2f (URL-encoded ../) sequences in the URL path. These sequences survive the URL parser intact (they contain no literal / characters) but are decoded into directory traversal sequences before the output file is opened for writing. As a result, a crafted URL can cause axel to write downloaded content to arbitrary filesystem paths relative to the current working directory.
Fixes and workarounds
Fix
Apply patch provided by Axel. Will be fixed in 2.17.16 as well
Source: CNA: OCDFix
The reporting source identifies this reference as a patch. Check the advisory for affected versions and supported release branches.
Source: CNA: OCDAffected products and versions
| Product | Versions | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Axel Axel Download Accelerator |
≥ 0; ≤ 2.17.14 (affected, git)
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: OCD |
Version ranges are source assertions. Check the vendor advisory and your installed configuration before determining exposure.
CVSS assessments
| Version / score | Vector | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 / 7.0 high |
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | CNA: OCD |
| 3.1 / 8.1 high |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H | CNA: OCD |
Exploit evidence
No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.
References
- https://github.com/axel-download-accelerator/axel/issues/477CNA: OCD · issue-tracking
- https://github.com/axel-download-accelerator/axel/pull/483/changes/4e76e1a1dd1c4ea11b445e2c45e4ee257c76314eCNA: OCD · patch
- https://github.com/axel-download-accelerator/axel/milestone/22CNA: OCD · vendor-advisory
- https://advisories.orangecyberdefense.com/advisories/167CNA: OCD · third-party-advisory
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