---
title: "CVE-2026-90616: Flatpak - Sandbox Escape & Arbitrary Code Execution"
description: "Flatpak < 1.18.1 contains a sandbox escape vulnerability caused by missing symlink protection in app data directories, letting malicious sandboxed apps gain arbitrary read/write and code execution on the host, exploit requires attacker-controlled symlinks."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-90616/
---

# CVE-2026-90616 Flatpak - Sandbox Escape & Arbitrary Code Execution

Flatpak < 1.18.1 contains a sandbox escape vulnerability caused by missing symlink protection in app data directories, letting malicious sandboxed apps gain arbitrary read/write and code execution on the host, exploit requires attacker-controlled symlinks.

CVSS base score 7.4 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.18% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90616)

## Details

Type

Sandbox Escape

Impact

Remote Code Execution, File System Read, File System Write

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

12 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-61](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/61.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to version 1.18.1 or later.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90616](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90616)
- [https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/security/advisories/GHSA-8688-9x26-hhxj](https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak/security/advisories/GHSA-8688-9x26-hhxj)
- [https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/11/9](https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/11/9)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

Panop answers these inside your environment, for this CVE and every other finding.

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