CVE-2026-50558

What it is

Penelope Shell Handler is a post-exploitation shell handler for authorized security testing. Prior to 0.20.0, the Unix download() implementation in penelope.py used tar.extractall(local_download_folder) on tar archives returned by remote sessions without validating member paths, allowing a malicious or compromised session to write files outside the intended download directory and potentially overwrite ~/.penelope/peneloperc. This issue is fixed in version 0.20.0.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data tampering.

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. 2026-07-29 16:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-23 23:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-07-29 16:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-23 23:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-22 · Path traversal

Record status

Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.9

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

Low