# CVE-2026-96275: Flatpak arbitrary file write via path traversal in extra-data extraction

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96275-a-malicious-or-compromised-flatpak-repository-can-write-attacker  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-23. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96275 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-09-23

Flatpak, a containerized application distribution system, contains a vulnerability in how it processes extension metadata from repositories. A compromised or malicious repository can write attacker-controlled files to any location on the host system with root privileges during installation or updates, allowing complete system compromise.

Technologies: [Flatpak](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/flatpak). Vendors: [Flatpak](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/flatpak).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96275 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96275 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96275?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 23 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Flatpak Flatpak.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96275?** 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-2026-96275 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96275?** Check whether you run Flatpak. 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 combines two path traversal issues in extract_extra_data(): symlink-following in `files/extra` path resolution and unsanitized `..` sequences in blob names from `xa.extra-data-sources`. An attacker controlling a Flatpak repository can exploit this to write arbitrary files as root on system-wide installs. User interaction is required (adding the malicious remote and initiating an install/update), but no privileges are needed on the victim host.

## Affected products

- Flatpak Flatpak

## Timeline

- 2026-09-23: disclosed

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-96275](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-96275)

## Related threats

- [Flatpak path traversal in system-helper via crafted architecture name](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92162-flatpak-is-a-system-for-building-distributing-and-running)
- [Flatpak process ID namespace isolation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97029-flatpak-s-process-id-namespace-separation-does-not-prevent-a)
- [Flatpak path traversal in files/etc directory during app deployment](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97024-a-path-traversal-vulnerability-in-flatpak-s-handling-of-the-files)
- [Flatpak path traversal in export/bin directory handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97023-a-path-traversal-vulnerability-in-flatpak-s-handling-of-the)
- [Flatpak heap buffer overflow in OCI delta stream parser](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96280-the-oci-delta-stream-parser-read-sizes-as-guint64-but-passed-them)