# CVE-2026-33686: Sharp is Vulnerable to Path Traversal via Unsanitized Extension in FileUtil

> Attackers can exploit unsanitized file extensions in Sharp to perform path traversal, potentially reading or modifying files outside the intended storage directory.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 26 Mar 2026
- **Updated:** 27 Mar 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9ffq-6457-8958

## What is CVE-2026-33686?

CVE-2026-33686 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in code16 sharp, published on 26 Mar 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Sharp is a content management framework built for Laravel as a package. Versions prior to 9.20.0 have a path traversal vulnerability  in the FileUtil class. The application fails to sanitize file extensions properly, allowing path separators to be passed into the storage layer. In `src/Utils/FileUtil.php`, the `FileUtil::explodeExtension()` function extracts a file's extension by splitting the filename at the last dot. This issue has been patched in version 9.20.0 by properly sanitizing the extension using `pathinfo(PATHINFO_EXTENSION)` instead of `strrpos()`, alongside applying strict regex replacements to both the base name and the extension.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-33686?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including code16/sharp. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `code16/sharp` | Packagist | All versions | 9.20.0 |
| `code16/sharp` | Packagist | All versions | 9.20.0 |

Products: Code16 Sharp.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-33686?

Upgrade code16/sharp to 9.20.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-33686 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-33686 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in code16 sharp

- [CVE-2026-33687](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33687/): Sharp has Unrestricted File Upload via Client-Controlled Validation Rules (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-33686 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-33686 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in code16 sharp, published on 26 Mar 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-33686 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- code16/sharp (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 9.20.0
- code16/sharp (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 9.20.0

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33686/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33686/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-33686
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33686
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-33686

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-33686/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.