Description
Cockpit 2.13.5 and earlier is affected by a misconfiguration within the Bucket component _isFileTypeAllowed function where a specially crafted filename bypasses an extension filter. This allows an authenticated attacker to rename arbitrary files with the .php file extension enabling arbitrary code to be executed on the underlying server.
Published: 2026-04-29
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A flaw in Cockpit’s Bucket component allows an authenticated attacker to rename arbitrary files with a specially crafted file name that bypasses the component’s extension filter. The renaming can add a .php extension, causing the server to execute the file and granting the attacker arbitrary code execution on the underlying system. This weakness results from improper input validation during filename handling. The impact includes potential compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected installation. The likely attack vector is an authenticated session with file‑management privileges; the CVE description does not state that attackers can upload files, only rename existing ones.

Affected Systems

Any installation of Cockpit CMS version 2.13.5 or earlier is impacted. The issue originates in the Bucket module, which is part of the core component of Cockpit. End‑users who operate or host such instances should review their configuration for possible exploitation.

Risk and Exploitability

Because the flaw requires authentication, an attacker must have valid credentials. Once authenticated, the attacker can rename any file to a .php extension, causing the server to execute the file and granting full server privileges. The CVSS score is 8.8 and the EPSS score is <1%, indicating a low but nonzero likelihood of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, and no official workaround is published. The likely attack vector is an authenticated session with file‑management privileges, providing potential for lateral movement and persistence after code execution.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 2, 2026 at 00:35 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade Cockpit CMS to version 2.14.0 or later, where the Bucket component enforces strict file‑extension checks and disallows arbitrary renaming of files to .php
  • Restrict file‑upload and rename capabilities to privileged users only, and enforce least‑privilege permissions on user accounts that access the CMS
  • Configure the web server to deny execution of PHP files in the upload directory, preventing accidental or malicious PHP execution

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 2, 2026 at 00:35 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-j2rx-4jg9-79mw Cockpit Vulnerable to Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
History

Sat, 02 May 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Authenticated File Rename Allows PHP Execution in Cockpit CMS

Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Arbitrary PHP File Rename Enabling Server‑Side Code Execution in Cockpit CMS
Weaknesses CWE-20
CWE-73

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Arbitrary PHP File Rename Enabling Server‑Side Code Execution in Cockpit CMS
Weaknesses CWE-20
CWE-73

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-434
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Cockpit-hq
Cockpit-hq cockpit
Vendors & Products Cockpit-hq
Cockpit-hq cockpit

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Cockpit 2.13.5 and earlier is affected by a misconfiguration within the Bucket component _isFileTypeAllowed function where a specially crafted filename bypasses an extension filter. This allows an authenticated attacker to rename arbitrary files with the .php file extension enabling arbitrary code to be executed on the underlying server.
References

Subscriptions

Cockpit-hq Cockpit
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: mitre

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-29T20:23:41.211Z

Reserved: 2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z

Link: CVE-2026-38991

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-04-29T20:21:38.753Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Deferred

Published: 2026-04-29T16:16:23.797

Modified: 2026-04-29T21:22:20.120

Link: CVE-2026-38991

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-02T00:45:30Z

Weaknesses