// For flags

CVE-2026-26158

Busybox: busybox: arbitrary file modification and privilege escalation via unvalidated tar archive entries

Severity Score

7.0
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

A flaw was found in BusyBox. This vulnerability allows an attacker to modify files outside of the intended extraction directory by crafting a malicious tar archive containing unvalidated hardlink or symlink entries. If the tar archive is extracted with elevated privileges, this flaw can lead to privilege escalation, enabling an attacker to gain unauthorized access to critical system files.

*Credits: Red Hat would like to thank Calil Khalil (Hakal) for reporting this issue.
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2026-02-11 CVE Reserved
  • 2026-02-11 CVE Published
  • 2026-04-20 EPSS Updated
  • 2026-05-05 CVE Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Red Hat
Search vendor "Red Hat"
 Enterprise Linux
Search vendor "Red Hat" for product "Enterprise Linux"
*-
Affected
Debian
Search vendor "Debian"
 Debian Linux
Search vendor "Debian" for product "Debian Linux"
*-
Affected
Redhat
Search vendor "Redhat"
 Enterprise Linux
Search vendor "Redhat" for product "Enterprise Linux"
*-
Affected