Path Traversal in Conda Py-Rattler

CVE-2026-53956

Rattler is a library that provides common functionality used within the conda ecosystem. `rattler_cache` prior to version 0.9.0 and `py-rattler` prior to version 0.24.0 were vulnerable to package-cache path traversal when handling package metadata from conda channels. During cache materialization, the `ratter_cache` code used the package record `build` string as part of a cache key that was joined into a filesystem path. A malicious or untrusted channel could publish repodata with path separators or traversal components in that field, causing package contents to be written outside the configured package cache directory. The issue requires use of a malicious or otherwise untrusted conda channel. Curated channels that validate package metadata are not expected to allow malformed build strings of this form. Users should upgrade to `rattler_cache` version 0.9.0 or `py-rattler` version 0.24.0 and avoid untrusted conda channels.

Vulnerability class: Path Traversal (Directory Traversal)

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 5.4 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-53956?
CVE-2026-53956 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Conda Py-Rattler, classified under Path Traversal. CVSS score: 5.4/10. Published 2026-09-09.
How severe is CVE-2026-53956?
Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.4 out of 10.