CVE-2026-40024 Sleuth Kit tsk_recover Path Traversal
Attackers can write files to arbitrary locations via crafted filesystem images, potentially achieving code execution by overwriting system configurations.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-40024?
CVE-2026-40024 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in sleuthkit, published on 8 Apr 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
The Sleuth Kit through 4.14.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability in tsk_recover that allows an attacker to write files to arbitrary locations outside the intended recovery directory via crafted filenames or directory paths with path traversal sequences in a filesystem image. An attacker can craft a malicious filesystem image with embedded /../ sequences in filenames that, when processed by tsk_recover, writes files outside the output directory, potentially achieving code execution by overwriting shell configuration or cron entries.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-40024?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Sleuthkit the Sleuth Kit.
How do I fix CVE-2026-40024?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-40024 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-40024 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in sleuthkit
Sources
Also known as AZL-82007, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-40024, GHSA-995r-jc2c-558w, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-40024.