CVE-2026-48442: CAI Content Credentials Path Traversal

CVE-2026-48442 Overview

CVE-2026-48442 is a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] affecting Adobe CAI Content Credentials. The flaw stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. An attacker with local access can leverage the issue to gain unauthorized read access to files and directories outside intended restrictions. Exploitation requires no user interaction and results in a scope change, meaning the vulnerable component can impact resources beyond its own security boundary. Adobe documented the issue in Security Bulletin APSB26-111.

Critical Impact
Local attackers can read arbitrary files outside the intended directory boundary, exposing sensitive data in resources beyond the component's security scope.

Affected Products

Adobe CAI Content Credentials (Content Authenticity SDK)
Refer to Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-111 for exact affected versions
Applications and integrations embedding the vulnerable Content Authenticity SDK build

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-11 - CVE-2026-48442 published to NVD
2026-08-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-48442

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-48442 is classified as a path traversal weakness in CAI Content Credentials. The component fails to properly canonicalize or validate file path inputs before resolving them against the file system. As a result, path elements such as ../ sequences or absolute paths supplied to the SDK can escape the intended base directory. Because the CVSS vector reports a changed scope, files reachable through the vulnerable process may include those owned by other users or trust boundaries. The impact is limited to confidentiality with high integrity implications in scope-changed contexts, while availability is unaffected.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input sanitization of file path parameters passed to the Content Credentials SDK. The SDK does not enforce a strict allow-list of directories or reject traversal sequences before opening files. Without canonicalization checks, resolved paths point to locations outside the component's intended working directory.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the adversary to supply crafted input to a process that invokes the vulnerable SDK routines. No privileges and no user interaction are required. An attacker with the ability to place or influence content credential assets processed by the SDK can trigger reads of arbitrary files accessible to the running process. Because scope is changed, the reads can extend beyond the SDK's own directory sandbox.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the vendor advisory for technical specifics.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-48442

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected file read operations by processes hosting the Content Authenticity SDK targeting paths outside the application's working directory.
Content credential manifests or asset files containing path components with ../, encoded traversal sequences, or absolute paths.
Access to sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, user profile data, or configuration files by the SDK process.

Detection Strategies

Monitor file open syscalls originating from Content Authenticity SDK processes and alert on paths outside the expected asset directories.
Inspect content credential inputs at ingestion for traversal patterns and reject non-canonical paths.
Correlate SDK process activity with subsequent reads of security-sensitive files across the endpoint.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable endpoint telemetry for file access events by applications embedding the Content Authenticity SDK.
Log and review CAI SDK error output and audit records for path resolution failures indicating attempted traversal.
Baseline normal file access patterns of the SDK and alert on deviations, especially reads of files owned by other users.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-48442

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed version of the Content Authenticity SDK as listed in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-111.
Inventory all applications and services that embed CAI Content Credentials and prioritize patching those exposed to untrusted input.
Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable SDK versions until updates are deployed.

Patch Information

Adobe has published fixed builds and remediation guidance in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-111. Consult the bulletin for the exact version numbers that address CVE-2026-48442.

Workarounds

Run applications embedding the SDK under least-privilege accounts to limit files reachable through traversal.
Sanitize or reject content credential inputs containing path traversal sequences before invoking SDK routines.
Enforce mandatory access controls, such as SELinux or AppArmor profiles, to constrain the SDK process to its intended directories.

bash

# Example: restrict the SDK process with an AppArmor profile fragment
/usr/local/bin/cai-consumer {
  /opt/cai/assets/** r,
  deny /etc/** r,
  deny /home/*/.ssh/** r,
  deny /root/** r,
}