# CVE-2026-78638: peerigon unzip-crx path traversal in archive extraction

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-78638-peerigon-unzip-crx-path-traversal-in-archive-extraction  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-25. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-78638 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.3 · Published 2026-08-25

unzip-crx is a Node.js library used to extract Chrome extension files (.crx). A path traversal vulnerability in the unzip function allows an attacker to write files outside the intended extraction directory by manipulating archive entry names, particularly on Windows systems. An attacker with the ability to supply a malicious .crx file could extract files to arbitrary locations on the system.

Vendors: [Peerigon](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/peerigon).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-78638 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-78638 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-78638?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.3, published 25 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Peerigon Unzip-Crx up to 0.2.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-78638?** 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-2026-78638 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-78638?** Check whether you run Peerigon Unzip-Crx 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

The vulnerability is a path traversal (Zip Slip) flaw in the unzip function of dist/index.js within the archive extraction component. The root cause is insufficient validation of the destination parameter and archive entry names, allowing entries with backslash characters (particularly on Windows) to traverse outside the intended extraction directory. The attack requires local access and the ability to provide a malicious .crx file. An attacker can achieve arbitrary file write outside the extraction directory. The vulnerability affects unzip-crx and unzip-crx-3 up to version 0.2.0; the maintainers have been notified via GitHub issue #19 but have not yet responded with a patch.

## Affected products

- peerigon unzip-crx up to 0.2.0

## Timeline

- 2026-08-25: disclosed
- other: Exploit published and maintainers notified via GitHub issue #19 but have not responded

## References

- [https://github.com/peerigon/unzip-crx/](https://github.com/peerigon/unzip-crx/)
- [https://github.com/peerigon/unzip-crx/issues/19](https://github.com/peerigon/unzip-crx/issues/19)