# CVE-2026-85518: Openscap: openscap: arbitrary file write via path traversal in source datastream decomposition

Status: published. Published: 2026-10-21. Updated: 2026-11-06.

A flaw was found in OpenSCAP. When decomposing a Source DataStream (SDS) file, the application does not properly validate relative file path attributes, leading to a path traversal vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this flaw by tricking a user or automated system into decomposing a crafted datastream containing directory traversal sequences. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized file creation or modification outside the intended target directory with the permissions of the executing process.

## Remediation

- workaround: Avoid extracting or decomposing untrusted SCAP Source DataStream (SDS) files. When processing externally supplied datastreams is necessary, perform the operation inside an isolated directory using a dedicated unprivileged user account or container sandbox with strictly bounded write privileges.

Caveat: Operating under an unprivileged user confines rogue file creation to that user's access scope, but does not prevent file corruption within directories accessible to that account. (source: CNA: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Hardened Images (openscap-main): ≥ 1.4.5-2.1.hum1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (openscap): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (openscap): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (openscap): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (openscap): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (openscap): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 6.1 (medium); CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 0.45% as of 2026-11-05; percentile 39.02%

- SSVC: exploitation poc; automatable no; technical impact partial; source ADP: CISA-ADP

- Weaknesses: CWE-22

## Exploit evidence

- exploit: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2478522 (ADP: CISA-ADP)

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:88330 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-85518 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2478522 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2478522 (ADP: CISA-ADP; exploit)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-85518; retrieved 2026-11-06; source updated 2026-11-06

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-85518; retrieved 2026-11-06; source updated Not reported

Revision: 1a2873f9f2b8177976c3b48b7f8b48cbdfd9832f2600f29274b4173adfedba31

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-85518

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