# CVE-2026-45242: Summarize < 0.15.1 Path Traversal via slidesDir Parameter

> Authenticated attackers can write and delete arbitrary files via path traversal in the slidesDir parameter of the Summarize library.

- **Severity:** High 7.1 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **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:** 18 May 2026
- **Updated:** 8 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8jr4-6r33-phwm

## What is CVE-2026-45242?

CVE-2026-45242 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in steipete summarize, published on 18 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Summarize prior to 0.15.1 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the /v1/summarize daemon endpoint that allows authenticated callers to write files to arbitrary directories by supplying an absolute path or directory traversal sequence in the slidesDir request parameter. Attackers can exploit this to write slide_*.png and slides.json files to any writable directory and subsequently delete matching files at the specified location through repeat extraction.

Weakness: CWE-862 (Missing Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-45242?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including @steipete/summarize. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `@steipete/summarize` | npm | All versions | 0.15.0 |
| `@steipete/summarize` | npm | All versions | 0.15.0 |

Products: Steipete Summarize.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-45242?

Upgrade @steipete/summarize to 0.15.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-45242 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-45242 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in steipete summarize

- [CVE-2026-45246](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45246/): Summarize < 0.15.1 Insecure File Permissions Information Disclosure (medium 6.8)
- [CVE-2026-45243](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45243/): Summarize < 0.15.1 Browser Extension Missing Authorization via Content Script (medium 5.3)
- [CVE-2026-45245](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45245/): Summarize < 0.15.1 Unauthorized Daemon Request via Untrusted Events (medium 4.6)
- [CVE-2026-45244](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45244/): Summarize < 0.15.1 Unapproved Browser Automation Execution (low 2.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-45242 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-45242 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in steipete summarize, published on 18 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-45242 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- @steipete/summarize (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.15.0
- @steipete/summarize (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.15.0

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-2026-45242/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45242/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-45242
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45242
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45242

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45242/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.