CVE-2026-97024: Flatpak: flatpak: arbitrary write in root context via path traversal in deploy directory files/etc
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2026-97024 is a high (CVSS 7.1) UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in flatpak. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 22.5% of scored vulnerabilities.
Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 2 · Related 1Timeline
- 29-09-2026PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 29-09-2026Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
A path traversal vulnerability in Flatpak's handling of the files/etc directory during app deployment allows a malicious Flatpak app to cause certain host system files (such as passwd, group, machine-id, or resolv.conf) to be emptied or replaced with a symlink when the app is installed or upgraded. In system-wide installations, the write is performed as root.
CVSS metrics
4 scores · 4 sources · 1 version- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated7.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated7.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
- NVDNIST7.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.31%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
23%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
Change unavailable
Change unavailable
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Debian1 product
- flatpakAll versions (No fix recorded) | < 1.16.6-1~deb13u3 | < 1.18.4-1
Ubuntu1 product
- flatpakAll versions (No fix recorded)
2 vendors · 2 products
