# CVE-2026-86360: Path traversal in System Update

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit a path traversal flaw in Dell System Update to execute arbitrary code with root privileges.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.6 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** No
- **Published:** 6 Oct 2026
- **Updated:** 6 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rf34-rm6m-qwp4

## What is CVE-2026-86360?

CVE-2026-86360 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Dell System Update, published on 6 Oct 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

Dell System Update, versions prior to 2.3.0.0, contains an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Filesystem access for attacker. This vulnerability is considered critical because it can be leveraged by an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. Successful exploitation may allow complete compromise of the vulnerable application and underlying operating system. Dell recommends customers upgrade at the earliest opportunity.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-86360?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Dell System Update.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-86360?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-86360 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-86360 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-86360 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Dell System Update

- [CVE-2026-86361](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-86361/): Privilege escalation in System Update (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2026-86362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-86362/): Privilege escalation in System Update (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2026-63697](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-63697/): Security feature bypass in System Update (high 7.6)
- [CVE-2026-71168](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-71168/): Path traversal in System Update (high 7.3)
- [CVE-2022-34404](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-34404/): Security feature bypass in System Update (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-86360 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-86360 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Dell System Update, published on 6 Oct 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: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-86360 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Dell System Update. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2026-86360/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-86360/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-86360
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86360
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-86360

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-86360/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.