CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-43616NVD status: Analyzed

DIE-engine: Relative Path Traversal

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-43616 is a high-severity relative path traversal vulnerability in DIE-engine from Horsicq, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 3.21.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating DIE-engine to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update DIE-engine to 3.21.0 or a later version.
  2. Update Detect-it-easy to 3.21 or a later version.
  3. 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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
HorsicqDIE-enginebefore 3.21.03.21.0
HorsicqDetect-it-easybefore 3.213.21

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
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.06.8MediumCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.1HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD

Official description

Detect-It-Easy prior to 3.21 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to write arbitrary files to the filesystem by crafting malicious archive entries with relative traversal sequences or absolute paths. Attackers can exploit insufficient path normalization during archive extraction to write files outside the intended extraction directory and achieve persistent code execution by overwriting user startup scripts.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Relative Path Traversal

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize sequences such as.. that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • 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 Relative Path Traversal vulnerabilities (CWE-23)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other references

Recent Relative Path Traversal vulnerabilities

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