Vulnerability in Ether Etherpad
CVE-2026-55086
Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor. Prior to 3.1.0, src/node/handler/ImportHandler.ts and src/node/handler/ExportHandler.ts derive temporary filenames from Math.random() and place them in os.tmpdir(). On a host with a shared world-writable temporary directory, a local unprivileged attacker who predicts a filename can precreate a symbolic link to a file writable by the Etherpad process. Subsequent import or export operations can follow the link through fs.writeFile, fs.rename, or document-conversion output and overwrite the target with partially attacker-controlled content. This issue is fixed in version 3.1.0.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 4.2 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
Affected products
- Ether Etherpad — versions < 3.1.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM)
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_MISC)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-55086?
- CVE-2026-55086 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ether Etherpad, classified under Improper Link Resolution Before File Access. CVSS score: 4.2/10. Published 2026-08-19.
- How severe is CVE-2026-55086?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 4.2 out of 10.