CVE-2026-59792 in IntelliJ IDEA
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.1.4, 2026.2 code execution via path traversal in project workspace ID handling was possible
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
This vulnerability in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA represents a critical path traversal flaw that could enable arbitrary code execution through improper handling of project workspace identifiers. The issue affects versions prior to 2026.1.4 and 2026.2, where the software fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied workspace ID inputs during project initialization processes. When an attacker crafts malicious workspace identifiers containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the application processes these paths without proper validation, potentially allowing access to arbitrary file system locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the project workspace management subsystem. During project loading operations, IntelliJ IDEA accepts workspace ID parameters that should be treated as untrusted inputs but are processed through pathways that do not properly canonicalize or validate the provided paths. This weakness aligns with CWE-23 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, as the application fails to properly sanitize user-controlled data before using it in file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path traversal attacks to encompass full arbitrary code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could potentially write malicious files to critical system locations, execute arbitrary commands through compromised project files, or manipulate the development environment in ways that compromise the integrity of the entire software development lifecycle. This represents a severe threat to development environments where IntelliJ IDEA is used for enterprise application development and continuous integration processes.
The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous when considering that developers often work with sensitive code repositories and configuration files within their IDE environments. A successful exploitation could allow attackers to access source code, build scripts, configuration files containing credentials, and other sensitive artifacts stored in the project workspace. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious payloads, and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, which involves accessing repositories containing valuable development assets.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all workspace identifier parameters. The recommended approach includes canonicalizing all user-supplied paths using secure path resolution functions, implementing strict whitelisting of valid workspace identifiers, and ensuring that project workspace operations occur within properly isolated sandboxes. Additionally, organizations should enforce immediate patching of affected versions and consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to development environments. Regular security auditing of IDE configurations and access controls can help prevent exploitation attempts while monitoring for suspicious file system activities related to workspace management operations.