# CVE-2024-5986: H2O has an External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-5986-h2o-has-an-external-control-of-file-name-or-path-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-02-02  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2024-5986 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-02-02

A vulnerability in h2oai/h2o-3 version 3.46.0.1 allows remote attackers to write arbitrary data to any file on the server. This is achieved by exploiting the `/3/Parse` endpoint to inject attacker-controlled data as the header of an empty file, which is then exported using the `/3/Frames/framename/export` endpoint. The impact of this vulnerability includes the potential for remote code execution and complete access to the system running h2o-3, as attackers can overwrite critical files such as private SSH keys or script files.

Technologies: [ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ai-h2o-h2o-core), [h2o (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/h2o). Vendors: [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2024-5986 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2024-5986 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2024-5986?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 2 February 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven) <= 3.46.0.1, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,last_affected=3.46.0.1; h2o (PyPI) <= 3.46.0.1, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,last_affected=3.46.0.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2024-5986?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**Am I affected by CVE-2024-5986?** Check whether you run ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven) or h2o (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- ai.h2o:h2o-core (Maven) <= 3.46.0.1, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,last_affected=3.46.0.1
- h2o (PyPI) <= 3.46.0.1, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,last_affected=3.46.0.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2024-5986
- GHSA-wj3h-wx8g-x699
- PYSEC-2026-353

## Related threats

- [PYSEC-2026-1441 - H2O Vulnerable to Arbitrary File Overwrite](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-8616-h2o-vulnerable-to-arbitrary-file-overwrite)
- [PYSEC-2026-1438 - H2O Vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) via `HEAD` Request](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-8062-h2o-vulnerable-to-denial-of-service-dos-via-head-request)
- [PYSEC-2026-1443 - H2O Vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) via `/3/ImportFiles` Endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-7768-h2o-vulnerable-to-denial-of-service-dos-via-3-importfiles-endpoint)
- [PYSEC-2026-1439 - H2O Vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) via Large GZIP Parsing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-7765-h2o-vulnerable-to-denial-of-service-dos-via-large-gzip-parsing)
- [PYSEC-2026-1442 - H2O Vulnerable to Execution of Arbitrary Files](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-6863-h2o-vulnerable-to-execution-of-arbitrary-files)