CVE-2026-45188: Apache Kvrocks Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2026-45188 Overview

CVE-2026-45188 is a relative path traversal vulnerability [CWE-23] in Apache Kvrocks, a distributed key-value NoSQL database that uses RocksDB as storage engine and is compatible with the Redis protocol. The flaw affects Apache Kvrocks versions 1.0.0 through 2.15.0. An authenticated local user with high privileges can leverage relative path sequences to access files outside the intended directory scope. The Apache Kvrocks project addressed the issue in version 2.16.0.

Critical Impact
Exploitation requires local access, high privileges, and user interaction, limiting practical attack scenarios. However, successful exploitation can expose data outside the expected file boundary and affect adjacent system components.

Affected Products

Apache Kvrocks 1.0.0 through 2.15.0
Deployments using Kvrocks as a Redis-protocol-compatible NoSQL database
Systems where Kvrocks operates with elevated filesystem privileges

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-25 - CVE-2026-45188 published to NVD
2026-06-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-45188

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied path inputs within Apache Kvrocks. The component fails to neutralize relative path traversal sequences such as ../ before resolving file references. As a result, the resolved path can escape the directory the application intends to restrict access to.

Apache Kvrocks accepts certain commands and configuration inputs that include filesystem paths. When an authenticated operator submits a crafted path, the server resolves it without enforcing canonicalization or boundary checks. This permits read or write operations against files the process can access through its own user context.

The issue is classified under CWE-23: Relative Path Traversal. Exploitation conditions include local attack surface, high attack complexity, and required user interaction, which constrains opportunistic abuse.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of path separators and parent directory references in input handling routines. The application concatenates user-controlled segments with a base directory and passes the resulting string directly to filesystem APIs. Without canonicalization through functions equivalent to realpath() followed by prefix validation, traversal sequences resolve outside the intended sandbox.

Attack Vector

An attacker must first authenticate to the Kvrocks instance with high privileges and induce user interaction to complete the exploitation chain. The attacker then issues a command or supplies configuration that contains a relative path with ../ sequences pointing to a target outside the data directory. The server resolves the path and performs the requested filesystem operation, exposing or modifying files beyond the intended scope.

The vulnerability does not provide a network-reachable, unauthenticated entry point. Practical exploitation typically requires prior compromise of an administrator account or insider access. See the Apache Mailing List Thread and OpenWall OSS Security Update for vendor-confirmed technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-45188

Indicators of Compromise

Kvrocks command history or audit logs containing path arguments with ../ or encoded variants such as %2e%2e%2f
Filesystem access by the kvrocks process to paths outside the configured dir data directory
Unexpected file reads or writes by the Kvrocks service user near system configuration paths

Detection Strategies

Enable verbose audit logging on Kvrocks and parse logs for path arguments containing parent directory references
Apply host-based file integrity monitoring on directories adjacent to the configured Kvrocks data path
Correlate authentication events with subsequent administrative commands that include file path parameters

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Kvrocks server logs to a centralized log platform and alert on traversal patterns
Monitor the Kvrocks process with Linux audit rules covering open, openat, and unlink syscalls against paths outside its working directory
Track changes to the Kvrocks configuration file and command-line arguments at startup

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-45188

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Apache Kvrocks to version 2.16.0 or later on all affected nodes
Restrict administrative access to Kvrocks to a minimal set of trusted accounts
Run the Kvrocks service under a dedicated, least-privileged system user with no access to sensitive directories

Patch Information

Apache has released Apache Kvrocks 2.16.0, which fixes the relative path traversal issue. Operators should plan a rolling upgrade across cluster nodes and verify the running version with kvrocks --version. Patch details are documented in the Apache Mailing List Thread and the OpenWall OSS Security Update.

Workarounds

Confine the Kvrocks process with mandatory access controls such as AppArmor or SELinux to limit reachable filesystem paths
Place the Kvrocks data directory on a dedicated filesystem mount with no symbolic links to system files
Disable or tightly restrict administrative commands that accept filesystem path arguments until the upgrade is applied

bash

# Configuration example: restrict Kvrocks via systemd sandboxing
[Service]
User=kvrocks
Group=kvrocks
ProtectSystem=strict
ProtectHome=true
ReadWritePaths=/var/lib/kvrocks
NoNewPrivileges=true
PrivateTmp=true