Red Hat Enterprise Linux extract_extra_data symlink

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and classified as very critical. This impacts the function extract_extra_data. Executing a manipulation can lead to symlink. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-96275. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (the affected version is unknown) and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function extract_extra_data. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a symlink vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-61. The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A malicious or compromised Flatpak repository can write attacker-controlled content to arbitrary locations on the host filesystem via extract_extra_data(). On system installs, the write happens as root. Two issues combine: `files/extra` is resolved via path operations that follow symlinks, and blob names from `xa.extra-data-sources` are not sanitized against `..` traversal.

The advisory is shared for download at access.redhat.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-96275 since 09/22/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 09/23/2026).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Red Hat

Name

• Enterprise Linux

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.redhat.com/

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