Is this vulnerability remotely exploitable?

It can be, depending on how apko is integrated. If an attacker can remotely supply or influence APK packages consumed by a build pipeline (for example via a package repository or pull request that introduces a new dependency), they may exploit this vulnerability indirectly through the build system.

What level of access does an attacker need to exploit this issue?

The attacker needs the ability to introduce or modify .apk files used by apko, such as controlling an APK repository, contributing crafted packages to a build, or intercepting package distribution. They do not need shell access to the build host, but they must influence the archive contents processed by apko.

What is the safest general fix pattern for this class of vulnerability?

The safest pattern is to enforce strict path confinement for all file operations during archive extraction: - Normalize and canonicalize paths and symlink targets. - Reject any entries whose resolved paths fall outside the designated root. - Avoid following untrusted symlinks where possible. Combining these safeguards with least-privilege execution and isolated build environments provides defense in depth.

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

Symlink Path Traversal (CWE-22, CWE-59) in apko APK Extraction

CVE-2026-42574

Published:

May 9, 2026

Status:

Received

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

NDV

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Remote Code Execution by Authenticated Users

May 10, 2026

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Path Traversal via Symlinks

CWE:

CWE-22;CWE-59

Impact:

Arbitrary File Write on Host via Build Process

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Path Traversal via Symlinks

CWE:

CWE-22;CWE-59

Impact:

Arbitrary File Write on Host via Build Process

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(7.5)

CVSS Version:

3.1

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Symlink Path Traversal (CWE-22, CWE-59) in apko APK Extraction

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

Recent Vulnerabilities

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

PHP Code Injection via File Upload (CWE-94) in Aero CMS Admin Post Creation

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Code Injection (CWE-94) via Module Parameters in Evolution CMS

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

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