# CVE-2026-55700: pnpm path traversal in stage download command

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-55700-pnpm-path-traversal-in-stage-download-command  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-25. Updated: 2026-06-27  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-55700 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.1 · Published 2026-06-25

pnpm is a popular package manager for JavaScript projects. A vulnerability in its 'stage download' command allows a malicious package manifest to trick the tool into writing files outside of the intended download directory. This could allow an attacker to overwrite sensitive files on a developer's machine or a build server, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized code execution.

Technologies: [pnpm (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pnpm). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-55700 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-55700 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-55700?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.1, published 25 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** pnpm (npm) >= 11.3.0, < 11.5.3, SEMVER:introduced=11.3.0,fixed=11.5.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-55700?** Yes. pnpm (npm): upgrade to 11.5.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-55700 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-55700?** Check whether you run pnpm (npm) 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

- pnpm (npm): upgrade to 11.5.3 or later

  ```sh
  npm install pnpm@11.5.3
  ```


## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22/CWE-73) exists in pnpm's `stage download` command. The root cause is the improper neutralization of package name and version fields from registry-controlled manifests when deriving local filenames. An attacker can craft a manifest with traversal sequences (e.g., ../) in these fields to escape the designated download directory and overwrite arbitrary reachable files. Exploitation requires a user to run the affected command against a malicious manifest. The vulnerability is fixed in version 11.5.3 by implementing strict validation of package names and versions and verifying that the final resolved path remains within the target directory.

## Affected products

- pnpm pnpm >= 11.3.0, < 11.5.3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-55700
- GHSA-v23m-ccfg-pq9h

## Timeline

- 2026-06-15: disclosed: Initial disclosure by zkochan
- 2026-06-25: advisory: NVD publication
- 2026-06-26: patched: GitHub Advisory reviewed and updated

## References

- [https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/security/advisories/GHSA-v23m-ccfg-pq9h](https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/security/advisories/GHSA-v23m-ccfg-pq9h)
- [https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/pull/12303](https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/pull/12303)
- [https://api.github.com/repos/pnpm/pnpm/security-advisories/GHSA-v23m-ccfg-pq9h](https://api.github.com/repos/pnpm/pnpm/security-advisories/GHSA-v23m-ccfg-pq9h)

## Related threats

- [pnpm environment secret exfiltration via proxy settings in workspace manifest](https://junglewise.ai/threats/pnpm-environment-secret-exfiltration-via-proxy-settings-in-workspace-f6626cca)
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- [pnpm path traversal via crafted lockfile alias](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59196-pnpm-path-traversal-via-crafted-lockfile-alias)