CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-57211NVD status: Analyzed

rabbitmq-server: Absolute Path Traversal

CVE-2026-57211 is a critical-severity absolute path traversal vulnerability in rabbitmq-server from Rabbitmq, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected rabbitmq-server versions: >= 4.2.0, < 4.2.6; >= 4.1.0, < 4.1.11. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of rabbitmq-server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Rabbitmqrabbitmq-server>= 4.2.0, < 4.2.6; >= 4.1.0, < 4.1.11Not 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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.5MediumCNA (github.com)
CVSS 3.110.0CriticalNVD

Official description

RabbitMQ is a messaging and streaming broker. Prior to 4.1.11 and 4.2.6 on Windows, the RabbitMQ management plugin static file handler rabbit_mgmt_wm_static can pass URL-encoded backslashes to erl_prim_loader:read_file_info before path validation when multiple management extension plugins are enabled, causing outbound DNS and SMB requests to attacker-controlled UNC paths. This issue is fixed in versions 4.1.11 and 4.2.6.

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

The underlying weakness: Absolute Path Traversal

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

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
  • 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 Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities (CWE-36)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in rabbitmq-server

All rabbitmq-server vulnerabilities

Recent Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities

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