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Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23942

🗓️ 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00Reported by TenableType 
nessus
 nessus
🔗 www.tenable.com👁 2 Views

Linux unpatched CVE-2026-23942 in Erlang OTP ssh_sftpd path traversal allows access to nearby dirs.

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Refs
Code
#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80900
##
# (C) Tenable, Inc.
##

include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(302365);
  script_version("1.9");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2026/05/29");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2026-23942");

  script_name(english:"Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23942");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed with a vulnerability that the vendor indicates will not be
patched.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied
patch available.

  - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Erlang OTP
    (ssh_sftpd module) allows Path Traversal. This vulnerability is associated with program files
    lib/ssh/src/ssh_sftpd.erl and program routines ssh_sftpd:is_within_root/2. The SFTP server uses string
    prefix matching via lists:prefix/2 rather than proper path component validation when checking if a path is
    within the configured root directory. This allows authenticated users to access sibling directories that
    share a common name prefix with the configured root directory. For example, if root is set to /home/user1,
    paths like /home/user10 or /home/user1_backup would incorrectly be considered within the root. This issue
    affects OTP from OTP 17.0 until OTP 28.4.1, OTP 27.3.4.9 and OTP 26.2.5.18, corresponding to ssh from
    3.0.1 until 5.5.1, 5.2.11.6 and 5.1.4.14. (CVE-2026-23942)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23942");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"There is no known solution at this time.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"agent", value:"unix");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:U/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss4_vector", value:"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss4_threat_vector", value:"CVSS:4.0/E:U");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2026-23942");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vendor_unpatched", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2026/03/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2026/03/15");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:22.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:24.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:25.10");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:26.04:-:lts");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:erlang");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Misc.");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2026 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info2.nasl", "set_linux_os_id.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/cpu", "Host/local_checks_enabled", "global_settings/vendor_unpatched", "Host/OS/identifier");
  script_require_ports("Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-14.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-16.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-18.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-20.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-22.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-24.04", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-25.10", "Host/OS/Ubuntu Linux-26.04");

  exit(0);
}

if (!get_kb_item("global_settings/vendor_unpatched")) exit(0, "Unpatched Vulnerabilities Detection not active.");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (empty_or_null(get_one_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l"))) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

include('linux_unpatched.inc');

var distro_constraints_array = {
  "Ubuntu Linux-14.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "14.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-appmon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base-hipe"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-corba"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dbg"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-gs"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic-java"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-percept"},
          {"reference": "erlang-pman"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-test-server"},
          {"reference": "erlang-toolbar"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tv"},
          {"reference": "erlang-typer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-webtool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-16.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "16.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base-hipe"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-corba"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dbg"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-gs"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic-java"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-percept"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-test-server"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-typer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-webtool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-18.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "18.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base-hipe"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-corba"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ic-java"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-20.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "20.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base-hipe"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-22.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "22.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-24.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "24.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-erl-docgen"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-manpages"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-25.10": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "25.10",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "Ubuntu Linux-26.04": {
    "package_manager": "dpkg-l",
    "constraints": [
      {
        "release": "26.04",
        "pkgs": [
          {"reference": "erlang"},
          {"reference": "erlang-asn1"},
          {"reference": "erlang-base"},
          {"reference": "erlang-common-test"},
          {"reference": "erlang-crypto"},
          {"reference": "erlang-debugger"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dev"},
          {"reference": "erlang-dialyzer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-diameter"},
          {"reference": "erlang-doc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-edoc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eldap"},
          {"reference": "erlang-et"},
          {"reference": "erlang-eunit"},
          {"reference": "erlang-examples"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-inets"},
          {"reference": "erlang-jinterface"},
          {"reference": "erlang-megaco"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mnesia"},
          {"reference": "erlang-mode"},
          {"reference": "erlang-nox"},
          {"reference": "erlang-observer"},
          {"reference": "erlang-odbc"},
          {"reference": "erlang-os-mon"},
          {"reference": "erlang-parsetools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-public-key"},
          {"reference": "erlang-reltool"},
          {"reference": "erlang-runtime-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-snmp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-src"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssh"},
          {"reference": "erlang-ssl"},
          {"reference": "erlang-syntax-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tftp"},
          {"reference": "erlang-tools"},
          {"reference": "erlang-wx"},
          {"reference": "erlang-x11"},
          {"reference": "erlang-xmerl"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
};

var distro_constraints_values = linux_unpatched::get_distro_constraints(distro_constraints_arr:distro_constraints_array);
if (empty_or_null(distro_constraints_values)) audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
var report = linux_unpatched::check_unpatched_constraints(distro_constraints_values:distro_constraints_values);

if (!empty_or_null(report))
{
  security_report_v4(
      port       : 0,
      severity   : SECURITY_HOLE,
      extra      : report
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
}

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29 May 2026 00:00Current
7.1High risk
Vulners AI Score7.1
CVSS 3.15.4
CVSS 45.3
EPSS0.00038
SSVC
2