CVE-2026-49441 in Wazuh
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. From 4.3.0 until 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta3, the non-merged branch of process_files_from_worker() in framework/wazuh/core/cluster/master.py trusts a peer-controlled file_path key from files_metadata.json. The destination is joined to WAZUH_PATH without proving that it remains inside the directory selected by cluster_item_key. A cluster peer holding the shared Fernet key can upload a crafted extra-valid archive and overwrite security-sensitive files such as /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf. Replacing ossec.conf can configure root-executed commands and lead to code execution after a service reload. This issue is fixed in versions 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
Wazuh serves as a comprehensive open-source platform designed for threat prevention, detection, and response across distributed environments. Within its architecture, cluster nodes communicate to synchronize configuration data and agent information, relying on shared cryptographic keys such as Fernet tokens to authenticate peer interactions. A critical security flaw was identified in the process_files_from_worker function located within the framework/wazuh/core/cluster/master.py module. This vulnerability affects versions ranging from 4.3.0 through 4.14.6 and version 5.0.0-beta3, representing a significant gap in input validation for files received from cluster peers during synchronization processes.
The core technical flaw stems from an insecure direct object reference combined with path traversal vulnerabilities. Specifically, the application trusts a peer-controlled file_path key found within the files_metadata.json payload without performing adequate sanitization or boundary checks. When processing incoming archives, the system joins this unvalidated destination path directly to the WAZUH_PATH base directory using standard string concatenation methods rather than secure resolution techniques that verify canonical paths. This approach fails to prove that the resulting file location remains strictly within the intended subdirectory defined by the cluster_item_key configuration parameter. Consequently, an attacker can manipulate relative path components such as dot-dot-slash sequences to escape the designated upload directory and write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem where the Wazuh manager process has write permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution with elevated privileges. A cluster peer possessing a valid, extra-valid Fernet key can craft malicious archives containing carefully constructed file paths that point outside the allowed scope. By uploading such an archive, the attacker can overwrite critical configuration files, most notably /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf. This central configuration file controls various aspects of the Wazuh manager's behavior, including rule sets and active response commands. If an adversary modifies this file to inject malicious configurations that trigger root-executed commands, they achieve arbitrary code execution upon service reload or restart. Since these services typically run with high privileges, successful exploitation grants full control over the underlying operating system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire security infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, as it involves accessing files outside intended directories due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. Additionally, it relates to CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection) because the ultimate goal and result involve injecting malicious logic into configuration files that are interpreted by privileged processes. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this attack vector maps to ATT&CK technique T1505.003: Server Software Component: Web Shell or more broadly T1496: Host-Based Configuration Modification, where adversaries alter system configurations to maintain persistence or escalate privileges. The exploitation relies on the attacker's ability to authenticate as a cluster peer and manipulate file metadata during synchronization events.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of Wazuh immediately. Users running version 4.14.6 or later, including the fixed release in the 5.0 series such as 5.0.0-beta3 and subsequent stable releases, are protected against this specific path traversal flaw. For organizations unable to upgrade instantly due to compatibility constraints, temporary mitigations include restricting network access between cluster peers to only trusted internal subnets and ensuring that Fernet keys are rotated frequently to limit the window of opportunity for exploitation if a key is compromised. Furthermore, implementing strict file integrity monitoring on critical configuration files like ossec.conf can help detect unauthorized modifications resulting from this vulnerability before they lead to full system compromise.