CVE-2026-29509
Description
A flaw was found in Patool. A remote attacker could exploit a path traversal vulnerability in the safe_extract() function by providing a specially crafted archive. This vulnerability arises because a helper function uses an insecure comparison method, allowing malicious paths to bypass security checks. Successful exploitation could enable the attacker to write arbitrary files to unintended locations on the system, potentially leading to information disclosure or system compromise.
Statement
Red Hat does not ship patool in any Red Hat product. This vulnerability only affects the community Fedora package. Fedora maintainers have been notified via tracker.
Mitigation
Update patool to version 4.0.5 or later. Alternatively, use Python 3.12 or later, which includes built-in tarfile extraction filters that prevent path traversal attacks.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
