GNU cpio is vulnerable to an uncontrolled memory allocation in the make_path function at src/makepath.c. The function uses alloca to allocate stack memory based on the length of argpath, which is derived from an archive-controlled pathname during extraction. A malicious cpio archive containing a sufficiently long nested pathname causes an unbounded stack allocation, resulting in a stack overflow and crash of the cpio process. An attacker who can supply a crafted cpio archive to a victim who extracts it can cause a denial of service. This issue has been fixed in commit 3cd514031371d8aeeaf2048aa10103e02831aaa9
History

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-120
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description GNU cpio is vulnerable to an uncontrolled memory allocation in the make_path function at src/makepath.c. The function uses alloca to allocate stack memory based on the length of argpath, which is derived from an archive-controlled pathname during extraction. A malicious cpio archive containing a sufficiently long nested pathname causes an unbounded stack allocation, resulting in a stack overflow and crash of the cpio process. An attacker who can supply a crafted cpio archive to a victim who extracts it can cause a denial of service. This issue has been fixed in commit 3cd514031371d8aeeaf2048aa10103e02831aaa9
Title Uncontrolled Memory Allocation in GNU cpio
First Time appeared Gnu
Gnu cpio
Weaknesses CWE-789
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:gnu:cpio:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Gnu
Gnu cpio
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 4.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: CERT-PL

Published: 2026-08-10T10:25:34.337Z

Updated: 2026-08-10T10:56:56.427Z

Reserved: 2026-07-27T11:32:08.682Z

Link: CVE-2026-66485

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-10T10:56:52.730Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-10T11:17:27.773

Modified: 2026-08-10T12:17:20.467

Link: CVE-2026-66485

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-10T10:25:34Z

Links: CVE-2026-66485 - Bugzilla