CVE-2026-44542 is a critical-severity path traversal vulnerability in github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser (go), affecting versions < 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d. It is fixed in 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d.
Summary Attacker-controlled path input is joined with a trusted base path prior to sanitization, allowing traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to escape the intended shared directory. As a result, an unauthenticated attacker possessing a valid public share hash with delete permissions enabled can delete arbitrary files outside the shared directory within the share owner’s configured storage scope. Affected Components Two distinct vulnerable code paths: Stable versions (e.g., gtstef/filebrowser:stable) DELETE /public/api/resources?hash=<hash>&path=../victim Root cause: middleware.go:111 Issue: path query parameter is joined before SanitizeUserPath() Development / HEAD (e.g., commit eabdfd9) DELETE /public/api/resources/bulk?hash=<hash> Body: [{"path":"../victim"}] Root cause: resource.go:274 Issue: item.Path is joined before SanitizeUserPath() Steps to reproduce (Stable Version) Create a directory structure: Create a public share: Send request: Proof of Concept (HEAD / bulk endpoint) Alternative PoC Scripts: pocv3.sh (If the script fails due to environment differences, the manual PoC above reliably reproduces the issue.) Impact An unauthenticated attacker with access to a public share link configured with delete permissions enabled can delete attacker-chosen files outside the shared directory, anywhere within the share owner’s storage scope. This results in unauthorized data loss and potential service disruption.
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.
CVE-2026-44542 has a CVSS score of 9.1 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment.
A fixed version is available (0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d). Upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
go
github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser (< 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d)github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser → 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d (go)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.
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Already deployed Kodem? See CVE-2026-44542 in your environment →Upgrade github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser to 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d or later to resolve this vulnerability.
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
CVE-2026-44542 is a critical-severity path traversal vulnerability in github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser (go), affecting versions < 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d. It is fixed in 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
CVE-2026-44542 has a CVSS score of 9.1 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser (go) versions < 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d is affected.
Yes. CVE-2026-44542 is fixed in 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d. Upgrade to this version or later.
Whether CVE-2026-44542 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
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.
Upgrade github.com/gtsteffaniak/filebrowser to 0.0.0-20260501183844-112740bdd41d or later.