CVE-2026-25705: Github.com/rancher/rancher Path Traversal Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-5v3h-x4wf-5c35
CVSS 8.4
CWE-35
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-25705 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.4) path traversal vulnerability (CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//') affecting Github.com/rancher/rancher libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves rancher extensions have arbitrary file access via path traversal. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.14.1, 2.13.5, 2.12.9, 2.11.13.

CVE-2026-25705 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-25705
GHSA Identifier GHSA-5v3h-x4wf-5c35
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.4
CWE Classification CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//'
Affected Product Github.com/rancher/rancher
Package Ecosystem Go
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.4

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2026-25705

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/rancher/rancher dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.14.1
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.14.1
github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.13.5
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.13.5
github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.12.9
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.12.9
github.com/rancher/rancher fixed: 2.11.13
Upgrade github.com/rancher/rancher to 2.11.13
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2026-25705, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/rancher/rancher:

inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/rancher/rancher in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.14.1), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//', where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize '.../...//' (doubled triple dot slash) sequences that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory. In Github.com/rancher/rancher, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact A vulnerability has been identified in [Rancher's Extensions](https://ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com/integrations-in-rancher/rancher-extensions) where malicious code can be injected in Rancher through a path traversal in the `compressedEndpoint` field inside a `UIPlugin` deployment. A malicious UI extension could abuse that to: - Overwrite Rancher binaries or configuration to inject code. - Write to `/var/lib/rancher/` to tamper with cluster state. - If `hostPath` volumes are mounted, write to the host node filesystem. - Use this issue to chain with other attack vectors. By default only the administrator can deploy UI extensions, unless permissions are granted to other users. It's always recommended to only install extensions that come from sources trusted by the user. Please consult the associated [MITRE CAPEC-126 - Technique - Path Traversal](https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/126.html) for further information about this category of attack. ### Patches This vulnerability is addressed by ensuring that: - The file defined by the UI Plugin CR's `compressedEndpoint` has to be created inside the cache directory and cannot contain `../`. If that is not possible, the installation will fail and the file won't be created. - The icons referenced by Cluster Repos' `index.yaml` file always resolves to a file inside the repository directory. Patched versions of Rancher include releases v2.14.1, v2.13.5, v2.12.9, v2.11.13. ### Workarounds There is no workaround. The user must be careful about which UI Plugins they install. ### Resources If there are any questions or comments about this advisory: - Reach out to the [SUSE Rancher Security team](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/policy) for security related inquiries. - Open an issue in the [Rancher](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/issues/new/choose) repository. - Verify with the [support matrix](https://www.suse.com/suse-rancher/support-matrix/all-supported-versions/) and [product support lifecycle](https://www.suse.com/lifecycle/).

CVE-2026-25705 Affected Github.com/rancher/rancher Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.14.12.13.52.12.92.11.13
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.14.0
< 2.14.1
2.14.1
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.13.0
< 2.13.5
2.13.5
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.12.0
< 2.12.9
2.12.9
github.com/rancher/rancher
Go
≥ 2.10.11
< 2.11.13
2.11.13

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-25705?
CVE-2026-25705 is a security vulnerability in Github.com/rancher/rancher involving Rancher Extensions have arbitrary file access via path traversal under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//'.
Which Github.com/rancher/rancher versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.14.1, 2.13.5, 2.12.9, 2.11.13 across affected packages: github.com/rancher/rancher.
What version fixes CVE-2026-25705?
Upgrading to 2.14.1, 2.13.5, 2.12.9, 2.11.13 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is github.com/rancher/rancher affected?
Yes, github.com/rancher/rancher is affected in releases prior to 2.14.1, 2.13.5, 2.12.9, 2.11.13. Upgrade your dependency to 2.14.1, 2.13.5, 2.12.9, 2.11.13 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-25705?
CVE-2026-25705 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-25705?
CVE-2026-25705 is classified under CWE-35: Path Traversal: '.../...//' (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize '.../...//' (doubled triple dot slash) sequences that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.).
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2026-25705?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for github.com/rancher/rancher'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-5v3h-x4wf-5c35",
  "modified" : "2026-05-14T20:31:20Z",
  "published" : "2026-05-07T01:23:59Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-25705" ],
  "summary" : "Rancher Extensions have arbitrary file access via path traversal",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nA vulnerability has been identified in [Rancher's Extensions](https://ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com/integrations-in-rancher/rancher-extensions) where malicious code can be injected in Rancher through a path traversal in the `compressedEndpoint` field inside a `UIPlugin` deployment. A malicious UI extension could abuse that to:\n\n- Overwrite Rancher binaries or configuration to inject code.\n- Write to `/var/lib/rancher/` to tamper with cluster state.\n- If `hostPath` volumes are mounted, write to the host node filesystem.\n- Use this issue to chain with other attack vectors.\n\nBy default only the administrator can deploy UI extensions, unless permissions are granted to other users. It's always recommended to only install extensions that come from sources trusted by the user.\n\nPlease consult the associated  [MITRE CAPEC-126 - Technique - Path Traversal](https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/126.html) for further information about this category of attack.\n\n### Patches\n\nThis vulnerability is addressed by ensuring that:\n\n- The file defined by the UI Plugin CR's `compressedEndpoint` has to be created inside the cache directory and cannot contain `../`. If that is not possible, the installation will fail and the file won't be created. \n- The icons referenced by Cluster Repos' `index.yaml` file always resolves to a file inside the repository directory.\n\nPatched versions of Rancher include releases v2.14.1, v2.13.5, v2.12.9, v2.11.13.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nThere is no workaround. The user must be careful about which UI Plugins they install.\n\n### Resources\n\nIf there are any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n- Reach out to the [SUSE Rancher Security team](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/policy) for security related inquiries.\n- Open an issue in the [Rancher](https://github.com/rancher/rancher/issues/new/choose) repository.\n- Verify with the [support matrix](https://www.suse.com/suse-rancher/support-matrix/all-supported-versions/) and [product support lifecycle](https://www.suse.com/lifecycle/).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.14.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.14.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.13.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.13.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.12.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.12.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/rancher/rancher"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.10.11"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.11.13"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rancher/rancher/security/advisories/GHSA-5v3h-x4wf-5c35"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25705"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2026-25705"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/rancher/rancher"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-35" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-05-07T01:23:59Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-05-13T08:16:16Z"
  }
}