A flaw was found in GNU patch. An attacker can achieve arbitrary file creation outside the intended working directory by enticing a user or automated workflow to apply a specially crafted patch file. Due to missing validation during automatic patch reversal, absolute file paths in patch headers are accepted rather than rejected. Consequently, the utility can create files in arbitrary locations with the permissions of the executing user.
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.