PatchTheCVECVE-2026-66485: GNU cpio is vulnerable to an uncontrolled memory allocation in the make_path function at src/makepath.c
18
Routine
MEDIUM 4.6
CVE-2026-66485 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting affected software. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
GNU cpio is vulnerable to an uncontrolled memory allocation in the make_path function at src/makepath.c. The function uses alloca to allocate stack memory based on the length of argpath, which is derived from an archive-controlled pathname during extraction. A malicious cpio archive containing a sufficiently long nested pathname causes an unbounded stack allocation, resulting in a stack overflow and crash of the cpio process. An attacker who can
Why this priority
- No elevated risk signals yet
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 4.6 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Active |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.2% (top 92%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-789 |
| Published | 2026-08-10 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-23 |
Publisher (CNA): CERT.PL
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.