CVE-2026-32731: @apostrophecms import-export Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-32731 is a critical (CVSS 10.0) Path Traversal vulnerability in @apostrophecms import-export. EPSS estimates a 0.61% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 48.7% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 18-03-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 19-03-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

ApostropheCMS is an open-source content management framework. Prior to version 3.5.3 of `@apostrophecms/import-export`, The `extract()` function in `gzip.js` constructs file-write paths using `fs.createWriteStream(path.join(exportPath, header.name))`. `path.join()` does not resolve or sanitise traversal segments such as `../`. It concatenates them as-is, meaning a tar entry named `../../evil.js` resolves to a path outside the intended extraction directory. No canonical-path check is performed before the write stream is opened. This is a textbook Zip Slip vulnerability. Any user who has been granted the Global Content Modify permission — a role routinely assigned to content editors and site managers — can upload a crafted `.tar.gz` file through the standard CMS import UI and write attacker-controlled content to any path the Node.js process can reach on the host filesystem. Version 3.5.3 of `@apostrophecms/import-export` fixes the issue.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')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.