CVE-2026-14947 Overview
CVE-2026-14947 is a directory traversal vulnerability [CWE-24] triggered during ZIP archive extraction. A high-privileged remote attacker can upload a crafted ZIP archive containing ../ sequences in entry paths. The affected software fails to validate archive entry paths before writing files to disk. This allows an attacker to escape the intended extraction directory and write files to arbitrary locations on the server. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution and full system compromise. The vulnerability was disclosed through CERT-VDE Advisory VDE-2026-078.
Critical Impact
Attackers with high privileges can write arbitrary files outside the extraction directory, enabling arbitrary code execution and full system compromise.
Affected Products
- Product details are published in CERT-VDE Advisory VDE-2026-078
- Specific vendor and product identifiers were not enumerated in the NVD record at the time of publication
- Refer to the CERT-VDE advisory for the authoritative list of affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-20 - CVE-2026-14947 published to NVD
- 2026-08-20 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-14947
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in the archive extraction routine of the affected software. When processing an uploaded ZIP archive, the application iterates through archive entries and writes each entry to disk relative to a target extraction directory. The extraction logic does not canonicalize or validate entry names before joining them with the destination path. An attacker who authenticates with high privileges can supply an archive whose entry names contain directory traversal sequences such as ../../../etc/. The resulting file writes land outside the intended extraction directory. Attackers use this primitive to overwrite executables, configuration files, cron jobs, or web application files. Any of these overwrites can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the extracting process.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of archive entry paths prior to file write, categorized as [CWE-24] Path Traversal using ../ filename. The extraction code trusts the archive-provided filename and does not verify that the resolved output path remains within the intended base directory.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and pre-existing high privileges on the target system. The attacker crafts a ZIP archive whose central directory contains entries with relative traversal segments in their filenames. The attacker then uses an authenticated upload interface to submit the archive. The server extracts the archive and writes the malicious entries to attacker-chosen filesystem locations. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session. See the CERT-VDE Advisory VDE-2026-078 for vendor-specific attack surface details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14947
Indicators of Compromise
- ZIP archive entries whose names contain ../, ..\, or absolute path prefixes such as /etc/ or C:\
- Files appearing outside expected extraction directories with recent modification timestamps matching upload events
- Unexpected modifications to system binaries, startup scripts, web roots, or scheduled task definitions following an authenticated upload
- Web server or application logs showing archive uploads by privileged accounts followed by writes to sensitive paths
Detection Strategies
- Inspect ZIP archives at ingress and reject any entry whose canonicalized path escapes the intended base directory
- Correlate authenticated file-upload events with subsequent filesystem writes outside the designated extraction root
- Alert on writes to sensitive directories (/etc, /usr/bin, web application roots, autostart locations) originating from the service account of the affected application
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable filesystem auditing on the extraction target directory and its parent paths to capture out-of-scope writes
- Log all archive upload activity with associated user identity and archive metadata for forensic review
- Baseline the set of files the application legitimately writes and alert on deviations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14947
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the vendor patch referenced in CERT-VDE Advisory VDE-2026-078 as soon as it is available for your deployment
- Restrict access to the archive upload functionality to the minimum set of administrative accounts required
- Rotate credentials for high-privileged accounts that had access to the vulnerable upload interface
- Audit the extraction directory and system-critical paths for files written since the vulnerability window began
Patch Information
Refer to CERT-VDE Advisory VDE-2026-078 for the authoritative patch and fixed-version information. The NVD entry for CVE-2026-14947 was published on 2026-08-20 and last modified on 2026-08-20.
Workarounds
- Place the affected service behind network access controls that limit reachability to trusted administrative networks
- Disable or gate the archive upload feature until the vendor patch is applied
- Enforce least privilege on the account running the extraction service to reduce the blast radius of arbitrary file writes
- Where feasible, extract archives inside a chroot, container, or unprivileged sandbox with no write access to sensitive paths
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
