CVE-2026-55086 PUBLISHED

Etherpad: Import/export use Math.random() for temp file paths; predictable paths on shared /tmp enable symlink-based file overwrite

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 16.06.2026 Published: 19.08.2026 Updated: 19.08.2026

Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor. Prior to 3.1.0, src/node/handler/ImportHandler.ts and src/node/handler/ExportHandler.ts derive temporary filenames from Math.random() and place them in os.tmpdir(). On a host with a shared world-writable temporary directory, a local unprivileged attacker who predicts a filename can precreate a symbolic link to a file writable by the Etherpad process. Subsequent import or export operations can follow the link through fs.writeFile, fs.rename, or document-conversion output and overwrite the target with partially attacker-controlled content. This issue is fixed in version 3.1.0.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CVSS Score: 4.2

Product Status

Vendor ether
Product etherpad
Versions
  • Version < 3.1.0 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') CWE
  • CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File CWE