CVE-2026-32147

What it is

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows an authenticated SFTP user to modify file attributes outside the configured chroot directory. The SFTP daemon (ssh_sftpd) stores the raw, user-supplied path in file handles instead of the chroot-resolved path. When SSH_FXP_FSETSTAT is issued on such a handle, file attributes (permissions, ownership, timestamps) are modified on the real filesystem path, bypassing the root directory boundary entirely. Any authenticated SFTP user on a server configured with the root option can modify file attributes of files outside the intended chroot boundary. The prerequisite is that a target file must exist on the real filesystem at the same relative path. Note that this vulnerability only allows modification of file attributes; file contents cannot be read or altered through this attack vector. If the SSH daemon runs as root, this enables direct privilege escalation: an attacker can set the setuid bit on any binary, change ownership of sensitive files, or make system configuration world-writable. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl and program routines ssh_sftpd:do_open/4 and ssh_sftpd:handle_op/4. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 28.4.3, OTP 27.3.4.11 and OTP 26.2.5.20, corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 5.5.3, 5.2.11.7 and 5.1.4.15.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-04-21 12:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-26 22:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-04-21 12:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-26 22:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-22 · Path traversal

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Erlang erlang\/otp < 26.2.5.20
• Erlang erlang\/otp < 27.3.4.11
• Erlang erlang\/otp < 28.4.3
• Erlang erlang\/ssh < 5.1.4.15
• Erlang erlang\/ssh < 5.2.11.7
• Erlang erlang\/ssh < 5.5.2

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 5.3

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

None