CVE-2026-0312 in Checkov
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2026
Path traversal vulnerabilities in Palo Alto Networks Checkov by Prisma® Cloud enable an unauthenticated local user to write files to arbitrary locations on the scanning filesystem.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as a path traversal flaw within Palo Alto Networks Checkov, part of the Prisma Cloud suite, represents a critical security deficiency in how the application handles file system operations during its scanning processes. This specific weakness allows an unauthenticated local user to manipulate input parameters such that they can traverse directory boundaries beyond the intended scope. By exploiting this lack of proper validation on file paths provided by users or internal components, attackers can bypass access controls and write files to arbitrary locations on the host filesystem where Checkov is executing. The core technical flaw lies in insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input before it is used in operating system calls that interact with the local disk structure. This failure enables the construction of malicious file paths containing sequences like dot-dot-slash, which resolve to directories outside the expected working directory or scan target area.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk because it grants write access without requiring any form of authentication. In many deployment scenarios, security scanning tools run with elevated privileges to perform comprehensive system checks and analyze sensitive configuration files. If an attacker can leverage path traversal to inject malicious scripts, web shells, or other executable payloads into critical directories such as /tmp, home directories, or even application-specific folders, they effectively gain a foothold on the host machine. This initial access point can serve as a springboard for further exploitation, including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and persistence mechanisms that survive system reboots. The ability to write arbitrary files disrupts the integrity of the security scanning environment itself, potentially allowing attackers to tamper with scan results or disable security controls by modifying configuration files associated with Checkov or Prisma Cloud agents.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The root cause is the application's failure to strictly enforce that file operations remain within designated safe boundaries, violating the principle of least privilege and secure default configurations. In terms of cyber kill chain mapping under MITRE ATT&CK, this flaw facilitates initial access through local exploitation techniques, specifically leveraging OS command injection or arbitrary file write capabilities often categorized under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for subsequent payload execution. The lack of authentication requirement significantly lowers the barrier to entry for attackers, making it a high-severity issue that can be exploited by any user with shell access to the host running the scanner.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches or updates released by Palo Alto Networks to address this specific path traversal logic error. Administrators should ensure that all instances of Checkov are updated to versions where input validation is strictly enforced, ensuring that file paths are canonicalized and checked against an allowlist of permitted directories before any write operations occur. Additionally, running the scanning service with minimal required privileges can limit the blast radius if such a vulnerability were present in other contexts. Implementing strict filesystem permissions on the host operating system to restrict write access to critical directories further reduces risk. Regular auditing of application logs for unusual file creation patterns and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to security tool configurations are recommended defensive measures while patch deployment is underway.