CVE-2023-26266

Local code execution via working-directory path hijacking

Published Feb 21, 2023 · Updated Mar 14, 2025

Path search hijacking in AFL++ 4.05c allows local users to execute code when CmpLog processes an unprefixed fuzzing target. CmpLog resolves the target name against the current working directory rather than the PATH value that afl-fuzz uses, then executes the resulting file. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access to place a same-named executable in the working directory and a user to invoke CmpLog in standard or Frida mode; QEMU mode is unaffected.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path search hijacking in AFL++ 4.05c allows local users to execute code when CmpLog processes an unprefixed fuzzing target. CmpLog resolves the target name against the current working directory rather than the PATH value that afl-fuzz uses, then executes the resulting file. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access to place a same-named executable in the working directory and a user to invoke CmpLog in standard or Frida mode; QEMU mode is unaffected.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-26266
Published
Feb 21, 2023
Updated
Mar 14, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 21, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 14, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.3CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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