CVE-2026-32808 in pyLoad
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
pyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. Versions before 0.5.0b3.dev97 are vulnerable to path traversal during password verification of certain encrypted 7z archives (encrypted files with non-encrypted headers), causing arbitrary file deletion outside of the extraction directory. During password verification, pyLoad derives an archive entry name from 7z listing output and treats it as a filesystem path without constraining it to the extraction directory. This issue has been fixed in version 0.5.0b3.dev97.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2026-32808 affects pyLoad, a popular free and open-source download manager implemented in Python. This security flaw specifically targets the password verification process for certain encrypted 7z archives that contain non-encrypted headers. The issue arises from improper path handling during archive extraction operations where the software fails to properly constrain file paths to the designated extraction directory. This vulnerability represents a classic path traversal attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate the extraction process and potentially delete arbitrary files on the system. The flaw is particularly concerning because it occurs during the password verification phase, which is a routine operation that users expect to be secure and harmless.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how pyLoad processes 7z archive listings during password verification. When examining encrypted archives with non-encrypted headers, the system extracts entry names from the 7z listing output and directly uses these names as filesystem paths without proper validation or sanitization. This approach creates a path traversal condition where attacker-controlled data can influence the actual filesystem operations performed by the application. The vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The root cause lies in the absence of proper path validation mechanisms that should ensure all extracted paths remain within the intended extraction boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, presenting significant security risks to systems running affected versions of pyLoad. An attacker could potentially exploit this flaw to delete critical system files, configuration data, or user documents located outside the intended extraction directory. The attack scenario typically involves crafting a malicious 7z archive with specially formatted entry names that, when processed by the vulnerable pyLoad version, result in unintended filesystem operations. This vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in automated environments or systems where pyLoad is used to process untrusted downloads from the internet. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the vulnerability enables arbitrary filesystem manipulation through the application's normal processing flow.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-32808 primarily focus on upgrading to the fixed version 0.5.0b3.dev97 or later, which implements proper path validation and containment measures. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as running pyLoad with minimal necessary privileges, restricting network access to trusted sources, and monitoring for unusual filesystem activity. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to ensure all instances of pyLoad are updated and consider implementing automated patch management systems. The fix implemented in version 0.5.0b3.dev97 addresses the core issue by properly constraining all archive entry names to the designated extraction directory through appropriate path validation routines. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar path traversal vulnerabilities in archive processing software.