CVE-2026-55676

HIGH CVSS 3.1: 8.8 EPSS 0.30%
Updated Aug 13, 2026
Cisagov
Parameter Value
CVSS 8.8 (HIGH)
Type CWE-434 (Unrestricted File Upload)
Vendor Cisagov
Public PoC No

Malcolm is a network traffic analysis tool suite. The file-upload component (FilePond PHP backend) accepts uploads at `POST /server/php/submit.php` and stores them in a directory served by the same nginx and php-fpm instance. The allow-list that should restrict accepted file types is an empty array by default (`file-upload/php/config.php:16`), so the type check is a no-op and every extension is accepted.

The filename sanitizer keeps the `.php` extension intact. Committed files land in `/var/www/upload/server/php/files` (`file-upload/php/config.php:7`), and the component's nginx routes any URL ending in `.php` to php-fpm. An authenticated `GET /server/php/files/<name>.php` then executes the uploaded code as `www-data`.

Prior to version 26.06.1, in RBAC mode, the upload endpoint is reachable by the granular `ROLE_UPLOAD` role (`nginx/lua/nginx_auth_helpers.lua:71`), a role intended only for submitting capture files. As a result, a user holding the upload-only role runs arbitrary PHP as `www-data` inside the file-upload container. Version 26.06.1 fixes the issue.

Attack Parameters

Attack Vector
Network
Can be exploited remotely
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Privileges Required
Low
Basic privileges needed
User Interaction
None
No user interaction needed

Impact Assessment

Confidentiality
High
Complete data leak
Integrity
High
Complete data modification
Availability
High
Complete denial of service

CVSS Vector v3.1

Vulnerable Products

cisagov:malcolm