CVE-2026-96284
Description
A malicious user can get read-access to files in the flatpak-system-helper context if a system OCI repository is configured, because the OCI code paths in the system helper follow symlinks when importing OCI images that are under the user's control.
Statement
Red Hat estimates the CVSSv3.1 vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N.
Exploitation requires the attacker to be a local, authenticated user able to trigger a system-wide OCI image import via the flatpak-system-helper D-Bus service (AV:L, PR:L). This depends on the uncommon, non-default environmental precondition that a system OCI repository is configured (AC:H). No interaction from another party is required (UI:N). The OCI code paths in the system helper follow symlinks when importing OCI images under the attacker's control, and because this import runs in the privileged system-helper context, host file content can be surfaced through the attacker's own crafted import.
The vulnerable and impacted components remain within the same overall flatpak client/helper security authority (S:U). While some host file content can leak via this symlink-following behavior, disclosure surfaces only through the attacker's own crafted import under the rarer system-OCI-repository precondition, rather than through a broadly repeatable read of arbitrary files (C:L). There is no integrity or availability impact (I:N/A:N).
Mitigation
Remove all OCI system remotes.
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 | 2.5 | N/A | 2.5 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | Low | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality,Integrity,Access Control
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Modify Files or Directories; Bypass Protection Mechanism
An attacker may be able to traverse the file system to unintended locations and read or overwrite the contents of unexpected files. If the files are used for a security mechanism then an attacker may be able to bypass the mechanism.
Other
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Windows simple shortcuts, sometimes referred to as soft links, can be exploited remotely since a ".LNK" file can be uploaded like a normal file. This can enable remote execution.
Acknowledgements
Upstream acknowledges Simon McVittie as the original reporter.
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