CVE-2026-86320
Description
A flaw was found in flatpak-builder where Git hooks are not disabled when applying patch sources with use-git-am: true. An attacker who can provide a malicious source containing a Git post-applypatch hook can cause the hook to execute on the host during the build process, resulting in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running flatpak-builder.
Statement
Red Hat Product Security has rated this flaw as having an Important security impact. The vulnerability allows a malicious source to execute arbitrary code on the host when processed by flatpak-builder with use-git-am: true. Exploitation requires the target build process to process an attacker-controlled or otherwise untrusted source using this option. In typical interactive builds, user interaction is required to initiate the build, while automated build services that process untrusted manifests may be exposed without additional user interaction. Successful exploitation provides code execution with the privileges of the flatpak-builder process and may allow access to or modification of data available to that process.
Mitigation
Avoid using use-git-am: true when processing untrusted manifests or source material. Where untrusted builds are required, perform builds inside disposable virtual machines or other isolated environments.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.8 | N/A | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism
In some cases, injectable code controls authentication; this may lead to a remote vulnerability.
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Injected code can access resources that the attacker is directly prevented from accessing.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
When a product allows a user's input to contain code syntax, it might be possible for an attacker to craft the code in such a way that it will alter the intended control flow of the product. As a result, code injection can often result in the execution of arbitrary code. Code injection attacks can also lead to loss of data integrity in nearly all cases, since the control-plane data injected is always incidental to data recall or writing.
Non-Repudiation
Technical Impact: Hide Activities
Often the actions performed by injected control code are unlogged.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank AISLE Research for reporting this issue.
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