CVE-2026-87690 Metasploit Framework ios_image_gather Path Traversal Leading to Arbitrary File Write and Code Execution
A path traversal in the Metasploit iOS gather module allows a malicious device to overwrite operator files, leading to arbitrary code execution on the pentester's workstation.
- 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-2026-87690?
CVE-2026-87690 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Rapid7 Metasploit Framework, published on 12 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
The Metasploit Framework post module post/apple_ios/gather/ios_image_gather is affected by a relative path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22). The module interpolates file names taken from a Meterpreter directory listing — data fully controlled by a hostile or tampered iOS device — directly into the local destination path passed to client.fs.file.download_file(), with no sanitization. The underlying stdapi sink (lib/rex/post/meterpreter/extensions/stdapi/fs/file.rb) writes to whatever path is supplied, so a listing entry such as ../../msfconsole.rc escapes the intended ~/.msf4/loot/<random> directory and overwrites ~/.msf4/msfconsole.rc, a resource file that every msfconsole invocation automatically executes at startup (lib/msf/ui/console/driver.rb:196). An attacker-controlled device that lures an operator into running this gather module achieves an arbitrary file write as the operator; because the written msfconsole.rc can load a second written file (a Ruby plugin whose top-level code runs on require), this converts into persistent code execution and an interactive shell as the operator (frequently root) on the pentester's workstation at the next console launch. The same traversal was previously fixed upstream in the recursive downloader (stdapi/fs/dir.rb scrubs separators); this module omitted the equivalent scrub. The fix applies the same separator scrub (or File.basename) to listing entries before building the local path.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-87690?
How do I fix CVE-2026-87690?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-87690 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-2026-87690 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-87690 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-663p-9fgr-v7m7.