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Rack CVE-2026-22860

HIGH
Path Traversal (CWE-22)
2026-02-18 security-advisories@github.com GHSA-mxw3-3hh2-x2mh
Path Traversal Rack
7.5
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: github
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Craft malicious path with traversal sequence
  2. Exploit
    Submit request to Rack::Directory endpoint
  3. Execution
    Bypass string prefix validation
  4. Impact
    List directories outside configured root

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-22
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Exploitation Conditions

Rack::Directory must be enabled serving static files. Vulnerable versions: Rack < 2.2.22, < 3.1.20, or < 3.2.5. No authentication required; remote unauthenticated exploitation against default Rack::Directory configurations.
Impact

CVSS 7.5 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. Public exploit/POC available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Directory traversal in Rack versions prior to 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to list directories outside the configured root by exploiting a string prefix matching flaw in path validation. An attacker can craft requests with path traversal sequences to enumerate sensitive directories if the target path shares a common prefix with the configured root directory. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 7.5

Rack is a modular Ruby web server interface. Prior to versions 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5, Rack::Directory’s path check used a string prefix match on the expanded path. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affected Packages

rubygems rack fix: 2.2.22, 3.1.20, 3.2.5

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in rubygems

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-22 (Path Traversal). Affects Rack. Rack is a modular Ruby web server interface. Prior to versions 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5, Rack::Directory’s path check used a string prefix match on the expanded path. A request like /../root_example/ can escape the configured root if the target path starts with the root string, allowing directory listing outside the intended root. Versions 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5 fix the issue.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

Vendor (github) PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
SUSE HIGH
Red Hat 7.5 HIGH

Primary rating from Vendor (github).

CVSS VectorVendor: github

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

3
PoC Detected
Feb 19, 2026 - 18:27 vuln.today
Public exploit code
Patch released
Feb 19, 2026 - 18:27 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Feb 18, 2026 - 19:21 nvd
HIGH 7.5

DescriptionCVE.org

Rack is a modular Ruby web server interface. Prior to versions 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5, Rack::Directory’s path check used a string prefix match on the expanded path. A request like /../root_example/ can escape the configured root if the target path starts with the root string, allowing directory listing outside the intended root. Versions 2.2.22, 3.1.20, and 3.2.5 fix the issue.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A path traversal vulnerability in Rack, a critical Ruby web server component, could allow attackers to access files outside intended directories on affected systems. Organizations running Ruby web applications on vulnerable Rack versions face potential data exposure and must prioritize patching immediately.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: disable Rack::Directory functionality where possible, implement network-based access controls restricting web server file system access, deploy WAF rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns in requests, and enable strict input validation at the application layer.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 79% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High
NVD CVE.org EPSS Vendor GitHub VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Out-of-Cycle
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

58
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +38
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path Traversal HIGH

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:rack:rack:*:*:*:*:*:ruby:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rack:rack:*:*:*:*:*:ruby:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rack:rack:*:*:*:*:*:ruby:*:*

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Vendor StatusVendor

SUSE

Severity: High
Product Status
openSUSE Tumbleweed Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.0 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension 16.1 Fixed

References

Advisories & patches
PATCH https://github.com/rack/rack/commit/75c5745c286637a8f049a33790c71237762069e7 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/346657 REF https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-22860 REF https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2440737 REF https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-22860.json

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