CVE-2026-86541
What it is
knowns versions before 0.30.0 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the handleCodeReplace() function that allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files outside the project root. Attackers can supply absolute paths or relative paths containing directory traversal sequences to write malicious content to sensitive files like shell startup scripts or SSH configuration files.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.2 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.8% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-22 · Path traversal
- Record status
- Deferred
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 7.2
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-86541.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-86541. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/commit/a2c98fc5c313463576c9348beeec6a74ddd7333b
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/releases/tag/v0.30.0
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/security/advisories/GHSA-f539-xgc6-xw7q
References
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/blob/v0.29.1/internal/mcp/handlers/code.go#L588-L646
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/commit/a2c98fc5c313463576c9348beeec6a74ddd7333b
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/releases/tag/v0.30.0
- https://github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/security/advisories/GHSA-f539-xgc6-xw7q
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/knowns-before-0.30.0-path-traversal-via-code-replace-mcp-action