MediumCVE-2026-48855

    SFTP READLINK Leaks Absolute Backend Filesystem Path When Root Is Configured (CVE-2026-48855)

    Published Last modified Sources: SUSE, Debian, BSI, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide, OSV

    What is affected, what to do

    Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix.

    Update erlang\/otp to version 27.3.4.13, erlang\/ssh to version 5.2.11.8, Erlang/OTP to version 29.0.2.

    Affected
    • Erlang OTP gte 17.0..*
    • Erlang OTP gte 3.0.1..*

    Not sure whether and how you are affected? Ask a question about this vulnerability

    Metrics

    6.5

    Priority

    XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.

    Source: NVD, CVSS v3

    6.5

    CVSS v3

    Severity Medium on the scale from 0 to 10.

    Source: SUSE, Debian, BSI, CVE.org, Msrc Update Guide, OSV

    0.3 %

    EPSS score

    Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.

    Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 22.6

    Show all metrics
    Severity
    Medium
    Priority (0–325)

    The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?

    Read in glossary
    55.24 Methodology
    Exploit maturity

    An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.

    Read in glossary
    no public PoC known
    XIEM Effective CVSS

    XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.

    Read in glossary
    6.5 Methodology
    CVSS v3

    CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.

    Read in glossary
    6.5
    CVSS v4

    CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.

    Read in glossary
    2.3
    EPSS score

    The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.

    Read in glossary
    0.3 %
    Low — model estimates < 1% exploitation likelihood.
    EPSS percentile

    The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.

    Read in glossary
    22.6
    Elevated — this CVE ranks above at least 10% of all CVEs scored today.
    KEV status

    The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.

    Read in glossary
    —
    Published
    CISA assessment (SSVC)
    Exploitation: none known · not automatable · Technical impact: partial
    Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 10 June 2026
    CWE

    CWE is a catalogue of typical weakness types in software and hardware — such as flawed input validation, unsafe memory handling or poor authentication. Where a CVE names a concrete vulnerability in a concrete product, a CWE describes the underlying class of defect.

    Read in glossary
    CWE-200

    Detection rules

    No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.

    Classification under NIS2 and CRA

    Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.

    NIS2

    NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.

    Read in glossary
    Handle the vulnerability in regular vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2.
    CRA

    The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.

    Read in glossary
    From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
    ISO/IEC 27001

    ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.

    Read in glossary
    Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.

    Description

    Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 27.3.4.13, OTP 28.5.0.2, and OTP 29.0.2, corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 5.2.11.8, 5.5.2.1, and 6.0.1. Whether OTP before OTP 17.0, corresponding to ssh before 3.0.1, is affected is unknown.

    Source: suse_csaf, Debian Security Advisories, BSI WID Portal, BSI CSAF, NVD (NIST), cvelistv5, Microsoft Security Update Guide, OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities), CVE.org (MITRE)

    Affected products

    The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.

    Affected products
    Affected versionsFixed in
    ErlangOTP
    • ≥ 3.0.1
    • ≥ 17.0
    • —
    • —
    erlangerlang\/otp
    • 17.0 – < 27.3.4.13
    • 28.0 – < 28.5.0.2
    • 29.0 – < 29.0.2
    • 27.3.4.13
    • 28.5.0.2
    • 29.0.2
    erlangerlang\/ssh
    • 3.0.1 – < 5.2.11.8
    • 6.0 – < 6.0.1
    • 5.5 – < 5.5.2.1
    • 5.2.11.8
    • 6.0.1
    • 5.5.2.1
    Open SourceErlang/OTP
    • < 29.0.2
    • 29.0.2
    Open SourceErlang/OTP erl_interface
    • < 5.8.1
    • 5.8.1
    Open SourceErlang/OTP erts
    • < 17.0.2
    • 17.0.2
    Open SourceErlang/OTP ftp
    • < 1.2.6
    • 1.2.6
    Open SourceErlang/OTP inets
    • < 9.7.1
    • 9.7.1
    Open SourceErlang/OTP ssh
    • < 6.0.1
    • 6.0.1

    Vendors and products

    Affected operating systems

    Affected operating systems
    Linuxdebianerlangtrixie

    Weakness classes (CWE)

    • CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

      Class

      The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information.

      Entry at MITRE CWE-200

    References & sources

    • github.comerlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fhadvisory, Vendor advisory, related, Mitigation, Vendor advisory
    • cna.erlef.orgEEF CNA record for CVE-2026-48855web, related, Mitigation, Third-party advisory
    • erlang.orgErlang/OTP version orderingweb, x_version-scheme, Product
    • github.comFix commit 8f4224a in erlang/otpfix, Patch, Patch
    • OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)OSV record EEF-CVE-2026-48855related, Mitigation, Third-party advisory
    • github.comIntroducing commit 0822579 in erlang/otpweb, related

    Changes to this CVE

    Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).

    1. Record modifiedEEF

      Description added or changed

      Show 18 original changes
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Descriptionchanged
      Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 29.0.2, OTP 28.5.0.2 and OTP 27.3.4.13, corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 6.0.1, 5.5.2.1 and 5.2.11.8.
      Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 27.3.4.13, OTP 28.5.0.2, and OTP 29.0.2, corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 5.2.11.8, 5.5.2.1, and 6.0.1. Whether OTP before OTP 17.0, corresponding to ssh before 3.0.1, is affected is unknown.
      Affected versions (publisher)added
      —
      Affected value modified. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/48xxx/CVE-2026-48855.json">CVE-2026-48855</a>
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-48855.html
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/08225797f7ef943d0c82a1d9dd6650d94ca2580d
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/8f4224a0d2676b0653d2c71a889a956e8c2c62d6
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fh
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-48855
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html#order-of-versions
      Referenceremoved
      https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-48855.html
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/8f4224a0d2676b0653d2c71a889a956e8c2c62d6
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fh
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-48855
      —
      Referenceremoved
      https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html#order-of-versions
      —
      Reference typeremoved
      https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-48855.html Types: Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
      —
      Reference typeremoved
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/8f4224a0d2676b0653d2c71a889a956e8c2c62d6 Types: Patch
      —
      Reference typeremoved
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fh Types: Mitigation, Vendor Advisory
      —
      Reference typeremoved
      https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-48855 Types: Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
      —
      Reference typeremoved
      https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html#order-of-versions Types: Product
      —

      Source identifier: 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db

    2. Record modifiedEEF

      Description added or changed

      Show the original change
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Descriptionchanged
      Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before 29.0.2, 28.5.0.2 and 27.3.4.13 corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 6.0.1, 5.5.2.1 and 5.2.11.8.
      Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 29.0.2, OTP 28.5.0.2 and OTP 27.3.4.13, corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 6.0.1, 5.5.2.1 and 5.2.11.8.

      Source identifier: 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db

    3. Initial analysis by NVDNVD

      Newly listed as affected:
      • erlang/otp (17.0 – before 27.3.4.13; 28.0 – before 28.5.0.2; 29.0 – before 29.0.2)
      • erlang/ssh (3.0.1 – before 5.2.11.8; 5.5 – before 5.5.2.1; 6.0 – before 6.0.1)

      CVSS V3.1: AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

      Show 7 original changes
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      CVSSadded
      —
      AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
      Product configurationadded
      —
      OR *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/otp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.0 up to (excluding) 27.3.4.13 *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/otp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 28.0 up to (excluding) 28.5.0.2 *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/otp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 29.0 up to (excluding) 29.0.2 *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/ssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 3.0.1 up to (excluding) 5.2.11.8 *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/ssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 5.5 up to (excluding) 5.5.2.1 *cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang/ssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.0 up to (excluding) 6.0.1
      Reference typeadded
      —
      EEF: https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-48855.html Types: Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
      Reference typeadded
      —
      EEF: https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/8f4224a0d2676b0653d2c71a889a956e8c2c62d6 Types: Patch
      Reference typeadded
      —
      EEF: https://github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fh Types: Mitigation, Vendor Advisory
      Reference typeadded
      —
      EEF: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-48855 Types: Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
      Reference typeadded
      —
      EEF: https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html#order-of-versions Types: Product

      Source identifier: nvd@nist.gov

    4. ReceivedEEF

      CVSS V4.0: AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

      Weakness type: CWE-200

      Description added or changed

      Show 8 original changes
      Individual changes of this event as published by NVD
      TypeActionBeforeAfter
      Descriptionadded
      —
      Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Erlang OTP ssh (ssh_sftpd module) allows File Discovery. The SSH_FXP_READLINK handler in ssh_sftpd sends the raw result of file:read_link/2 to the client without calling chroot_filename/2 to strip the backend root prefix. An authenticated SFTP client can create a symlink inside the chroot pointing to /; ssh_sftpd resolves the target to the absolute backend root and stores it on disk. Reading the symlink back via SSH_FXP_READLINK returns that absolute path, for example /data/sftp, instead of the chrooted value /. The information disclosed is the absolute filesystem path of the SFTP root directory and of any symlink targets within it. No file contents, credentials, or access to paths outside the root directory are obtainable through this issue alone. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before 29.0.2, 28.5.0.2 and 27.3.4.13 corresponding to ssh from 3.0.1 before 6.0.1, 5.5.2.1 and 5.2.11.8.
      CVSSadded
      —
      AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
      Weakness type (CWE)added
      —
      CWE-200
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-48855.html
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/commit/8f4224a0d2676b0653d2c71a889a956e8c2c62d6
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://github.com/erlang/otp/security/advisories/GHSA-pv7g-pjrq-x2fh
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-48855
      Referenceadded
      —
      https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/versions.html#order-of-versions

      Source identifier: 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db

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