Kibana: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2026-115294 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in Kibana from Elastic, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Kibana versions: 9.3.0 through 9.4.8; 9.5.0 through 9.5.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Kibana you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic | Kibana | 9.3.0 through 9.4.8; 9.5.0 through 9.5.5 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (elastic.co).
Official description
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (CWE-22) in the Kibana Fleet feature can lead to unauthorized resource deletion via Path Traversal (CAPEC-126). A low-privileged user with Fleet agent policies write access could cause a subsequent administrative action to act on unintended resources. This can result in the deletion of resources such as Kibana spaces and other organizational assets that the low-privileged user cannot delete directly. Exploitation requires an administrator to interact with the affected Fleet interface.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Kibana
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
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