Apache James up to 3.9.0 SieveFileRepository path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Apache James up to 3.9.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component SieveFileRepository. The manipulation leads to path traversal. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-76168. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apache James up to 3.9.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown code of the component SieveFileRepository. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In Apache James server prior version 3.9.1 relying on the SieveFileRepository incorect validation of file paths can result in path transversal, allowing to set arbitrary SIEVE scripts for other users. This allows a logged in attacker to set arbitrary SIEVE scripts for other users, resulting in denial of service or even traffic capture. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.1 which fixes this issue.

The advisory is shared at lists.apache.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-76168 since 08/19/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 11/06/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 3.9.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• James

Version

• 3.0
• 3.1
• 3.2
• 3.3
• 3.4
• 3.5
• 3.6
• 3.7
• 3.8
• 3.9.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

CPE 2.3info

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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