← Vulnerability feed

Vulnerability record · CVE-2026-47121 · published 21 July 2026

CVE-2026-47121: Sparkle-project sparkle path traversal vulnerability

Sparkle Project · Sparkle

Sparkle is a software update framework for macOS. Prior to version 2.9.2, `Autoupdate/SUBinaryDeltaApply.m` enforces `relativePath.pathComponents containsObject:@".."` and rejects writes whose immediate parent directory IS itself a symbolic link, but does not detect symlinks deeper in the relative path. `Autoupdate/SPUSparkleDeltaArchive.m`'s `extractItem:` will create symlinks in the destination tree from archive content (no `..` check on the symlink target), and a subsequent `Extract` item targeting `<symlink>/foo/bar` then escapes the destination tree via `fopen(path, "wb")` because the kernel resolves the intermediate symlink during the open call. This is a defense-in-depth issue: exploitation requires a maliciously-crafted `.delta` that passes EdDSA signature verification, i.e. EdDSA private-key compromise. With the AppInstaller running as root for system-domain installs, it gives the holder of a stolen signing key arbitrary file write at root level via the delta-apply path, which is a strictly broader primitive than the "drop-in replacement bundle" install they would otherwise have. Version 2.9.2 contains a patch for the issue.

6.1 CVSS 3.1 Medium EPSS 0.34% · top 74.7% CWE-22 · Path traversalCWE-59 · Link following
6.1CVSS 3.1 base score
0.34%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
3References
5 Aug 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Sparkle is a software update framework for macOS. Prior to version 2.9.2, `Autoupdate/SUBinaryDeltaApply.m` enforces `relativePath.pathComponents containsObject:@".."` and rejects writes whose immediate parent directory IS itself a symbolic link, but does not detect symlinks deeper in the relative path. `Autoupdate/SPUSparkleDeltaArchive.m`'s `extractItem:` will create symlinks in the destination tree from archive content (no `..` check on the symlink target), and a subsequent `Extract` item targeting `<symlink>/foo/bar` then escapes the destination tree via `fopen(path, "wb")` because the kernel resolves the intermediate symlink during the open call. This is a defense-in-depth issue: exploitation requires a maliciously-crafted `.delta` that passes EdDSA signature verification, i.e. EdDSA private-key compromise. With the AppInstaller running as root for system-domain installs, it gives the holder of a stolen signing key arbitrary file write at root level via the delta-apply path, which is a strictly broader primitive than the "drop-in replacement bundle" install they would otherwise have. Version 2.9.2 contains a patch for the issue.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle/commit/fe7b718d0736f3e139e374e26fbca96f29e13bf0 Patch
https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle/security/advisories/GHSA-hg88-v3cw-3qrh Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle/security/advisories/GHSA-hg88-v3cw-3qrh Vendor Advisory

Track CVE-2026-47121 inside VULONE

Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.

Start free Open in platform

Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

6.8CVE-2025-0509Sparkle-project sparkle vulnerabilityA security issue was found in Sparkle before version 2.6.4. An attacker can replace an existing signed update with another payload, bypassing Sparkle…EPSS 0.90%4.2CVE-2026-47122Sparkle-project sparkle missing authentication for critical function vulnerabilitySparkle is a software update framework for macOS. In versions up to and including 2.9.1, `Autoupdate/AppInstaller.m`'s `shouldAcceptNewConnection:` o…EPSS 0.11%9.8CVE-2026-104286Fortinet fortimail path traversal vulnerabilityAn improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') vulnerability in Fortinet FortiMail 8.0.0 through 8.0.1, FortiMail …KEVEPSS 2.2%9.8CVE-2026-93616Checkpoint multi-domain security management path traversal vulnerabilityA directory traversal and file upload vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to upload and execute arbitrary scripts on Check Point Managem…KEVEPSS 20%10.0CVE-2026-85706GitLab CE/EE repository commits API path traversal allows unauthenticated file readGitLab CE/EE contains improper path confinement and missing authentication enforcement in the repository commits API, allowing an unauthenticated use…KEVEPSS 93%analysed5.3CVE-2026-66384JFrog Artifactory path traversal in Docker cache pathAn authenticated user can write data outside the intended Docker cache path under specific remote-repository conditions in JFrog Artifactory. The fla…KEVEPSS 0.66%analysed9.8CVE-2026-59310VMware vCenter Syslog server path traversal leads to RCEVMware vCenter's Syslog server is affected by a directory traversal flaw (CWE-22) that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary…KEVEPSS 2.6%analysed10.0CVE-2026-48282Adobe ColdFusion path traversal leads to remote code executionColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier contain a path traversal flaw (CWE-22) that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to reach files …KEVEPSS 42%analysed

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2026-47121), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-10-07). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.