---
title: "CVE-2026-91012: Apache Karaf - Path Traversal & Privilege Escalation"
description: "Apache Karaf config.core.impl.ConfigRepositoryImpl contains a path traversal vulnerability caused by insufficient validation of file paths derived from user-supplied input in configuration update methods, letting manager-role users write arbitrary files within the Karaf process writable directories, exploit requires manager role privileges."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-91012/
---

# CVE-2026-91012 Apache Karaf - Path Traversal & Privilege Escalation

Apache Karaf config.core.impl.ConfigRepositoryImpl contains a path traversal vulnerability caused by insufficient validation of file paths derived from user-supplied input in configuration update methods, letting manager-role users write arbitrary files within the Karaf process writable directories, exploit requires manager role privileges.

CVSS base score 9.8 /10

Critical

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.63% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-91012)

## Details

Type

Path Traversal

Impact

File System Write, Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

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

Published

29 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-22](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/22.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to a version where ConfigRepositoryImpl.update() properly validates file paths to prevent path traversal, or apply patches that restrict file writes to ${karaf.etc} directory.

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-2026-91012](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-91012)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread/op8trtz1qxkdwj2rjozhd9yt2yd6nhw4](https://lists.apache.org/thread/op8trtz1qxkdwj2rjozhd9yt2yd6nhw4)
- [http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/28/8](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/28/8)

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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

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