# CVE-2026-118633: Sophos UTM path traversal arbitrary code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118633-a-path-traversal-vulnerability-allows-a-remote-unauthenticated  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-28. Updated: 2026-10-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118633 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-10-28

Sophos UTM, an end-of-life network security appliance, contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The attack requires winning a race condition by sending repeated requests over a few minutes when the email proxy has scanning enabled. Compromised systems would give attackers complete control over the appliance, potentially exposing or redirecting all email traffic and network communications.

Vendors: [Sophos](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/sophos).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118633 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118633 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118633?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 28 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Sophos UTM all versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118633?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Customers still using Email Protection features on UTM should upgrade to a supported version of Sophos Firewall and apply the patch manually as UTM is end-of-life; no workaround is available for the vulnerability itself.</anigation>
</invoke> If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-118633 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118633?** Check whether you run Sophos UTM 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.

## How to fix


Customers still using Email Protection features on UTM should upgrade to a supported version of Sophos Firewall and apply the patch manually as UTM is end-of-life; no workaround is available for the vulnerability itself.</anigation>
</invoke>

## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability in Sophos UTM's email proxy component allows unauthenticated remote code execution as root through a race condition. The attacker must sustain repeated attacks for several minutes when email proxy scanning is active. The vulnerability results in arbitrary command execution with root privileges; no fix is available for end-of-life UTM, though Sophos recommends upgrading to supported versions like Sophos Firewall.

## Affected products

- Sophos UTM all versions

## Timeline

- 2026-10-28: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-advisories/sophos-sa-20261028-utm-rce](https://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-advisories/sophos-sa-20261028-utm-rce)