CVE-2026-12701: Pulpcore: pulpcore: relative_path_validator bypass via directory traversal in filesystemexport

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-12701 is a critical (CVSS 9.0) vulnerability. EPSS estimates a 1.19% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 68% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 20-07-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-11-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A path traversal vulnerability was found in pulpcore. The relative_path_validator function only verifies that content paths do not begin with "/" but fails to block directory traversal sequences such as "../" anywhere in the path. An authenticated administrator can craft a relative_path containing embedded traversal sequences (e.g., "looking/normal/../../../../etc/shadow") that escapes the intended export directory during FilesystemExport operations. Because the file content is also user-controlled (uploaded artifact), this allows arbitrary file write to any location writable by the Pulp service user, potentially leading to service compromise or further system exploitation.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted DirectoryThe 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.