# CVE-2026-54550: IzPack has Path Traversal in UnpackerBase that allows writing files outside the installation directory via malicious pack entries

> Attackers can write files outside the installation directory via malicious pack entries, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation.

- **Severity:** High 7.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 26 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 26 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f63g-88cj-hjf9

## What is CVE-2026-54550?

CVE-2026-54550 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in izpack, published on 26 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

IzPack is a widely used tool for packaging applications on the Java platform as cross-platform installers. In 5.2.6 and earlier, UnpackerBase.unpack() in izpack-installer/src/main/java/com/izforge/izpack/installer/unpacker/UnpackerBase.java obtains an attacker-controlled PackFile targetPath, passes it through IoHelper.translatePath(), which only converts separators, and constructs a File without normalizing parent-directory segments or enforcing destination containment. A malicious installer pack entry containing ../ sequences can therefore write outside the intended installation directory to startup folders, executable search paths, or other locations accessible with the victim's privileges when the victim runs the installer.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-54550?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer` | Maven | All versions | 5.2.7 |
| `org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer` | Maven | All versions | 5.2.7 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-54550?

Upgrade org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer to 5.2.7 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-54550 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-54550 exists.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-54550 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-54550 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in izpack, published on 26 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-54550 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 5.2.7
- org.codehaus.izpack:izpack-installer (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 5.2.7

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-2026-54550/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-54550/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-54550
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-54550
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-54550

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-54550/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.