CVE-2026-55201 Evil-WinRM - Path Traversal in download_dir() Function
A compromised remote server can exploit path traversal in Evil-WinRM to overwrite client files, enabling persistent access or privilege escalation.
- 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
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-55201?
CVE-2026-55201 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Hackplayers evil-winrm, published on 17 Jun 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
Evil-WinRM through 3.9, fixed in commit 6ecd570, contains a path traversal vulnerability in the download_dir() function that allows a rogue or compromised remote Windows server to write files outside the intended download directory by returning filenames with traversal sequences from Get-ChildItem command output that are passed unsanitized to File.join(). Attackers controlling the remote server can exploit this to overwrite sensitive client-side files such as SSH authorized_keys or shell configuration files, achieving persistent access or privilege escalation on the client machine.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-55201?
How do I fix CVE-2026-55201?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-55201 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-55201 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-55201 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-fpgm-mcvj-627x.