CVE-2026-71364: Awx: project archive extraction allows path traversal file writes

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-71364 is a high (CVSS 7.2) vulnerability. EPSS estimates a 1.72% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 77.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 24-08-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 12-10-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A path traversal vulnerability was found in AWX's project archive extraction. The project_archive action plugin extracts zip and tar archive members by joining the project directory path with the member filename without performing path normalization, boundary validation, or rejecting directory traversal sequences. A malicious archive containing members with path traversal components can write files to arbitrary locations on the execution node's filesystem outside the intended project directory. An attacker who controls the archive content, either through a compromised upstream source, a malicious archive URL, or a man-in-the-middle attack on a plain HTTP connection, can achieve arbitrary file writes as the user performing the extraction, potentially leading to remote code execution through mechanisms such as cron files, SSH authorized keys, or playbook content injection.

• 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.