# CVE-2026-19909: PAX Technology Q80 AIP file parsing arbitrary file write RCE

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19909-pax-technology-q80-aip-file-parsing-arbitrary-file-write-rce  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-14. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-19909 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-08-14

PAX Technology Q80 is a payment terminal used in retail and hospitality environments. This vulnerability in the AIP file installer allows a network-adjacent attacker to write arbitrary files and execute code with root privileges, potentially compromising point-of-sale operations, customer payment data, and system integrity. No authentication is required to exploit this flaw.

Technologies: [PAX Technology Q80](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/q80). Vendors: [PAX Technology](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pax-technology).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-19909 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-19909 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-19909?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 14 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** PAX Technology Q80 <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-19909?** 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.

**How is CVE-2026-19909 attacked?** It is attacked from the adjacent network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-19909?** Check whether you run PAX Technology Q80 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.

## Technical details

This is a symlink-following (TOCTOU) vulnerability in the AIP file parsing logic of the PAX Q80 installer. An attacker on the adjacent network can craft a malicious AIP file containing symbolic links that, when processed during installation, allows arbitrary file write. By combining this with additional vulnerabilities, an attacker can achieve remote code execution in the context of root. The attack vector is network-adjacent (not network-wide), requires the installer process to be active, and does not require authentication. The vendor initially claimed the affected firmware was end-of-life and unsupported, but later confirmed the issue affects the reported build and disputed impact on newer releases.

## Affected products

- PAX Technology Q80 <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-04-22: disclosed: Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2026-08-05: advisory: ZDI coordinated public release of advisory ZDI-26-525
- 2026-08-14: other: Advisory published

## References

- [https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-525/](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-525/)

## Related threats

- [PAX Technology Q80 Application Installer signature verification bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19910-pax-technology-q80-application-installer-signature-verification)
- [PAX Technology Q80 XCB Daemon missing authentication](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19908-pax-technology-q80-xcb-daemon-missing-authentication)