Akana: Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence
CVE-2026-85978 is a critical-severity improper resolution of path equivalence vulnerability in Akana from Perforce, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Akana versions: All versions prior to 2024.1; 2024.1.0 through 2024.1.5; 2025.1.0 through 2025.1.1, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.44% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 74% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Akana you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perforce | Akana | All versions prior to 2024.1; 2024.1.0 through 2024.1.5; 2025.1.0 through 2025.1.1; 2026.1 | 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (puppet.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (puppet.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (puppet.com) |
Official description
An unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Policy Manager console of Akana API Platform. A path normalization discrepancy between the authentication filter and the servlet dispatcher allows a crafted request to bypass authentication and reach an endpoint that evaluates attacker-supplied script code without sandboxing, resulting in arbitrary code execution. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence
The product is vulnerable to file system contents disclosure through path equivalence. Path equivalence involves the use of special characters in file and directory names. The associated manipulations are intended to generate multiple names for the same object.
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.
More Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence vulnerabilities (CWE-41)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Akana
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence vulnerabilities
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
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