CVE-2026-49145: App::Ack versions through 3.10.0 for Perl read arbitrary files via --files-from in a project .ackrc
Affects ackSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 41% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Affects
- untrusted repositories. App::Ack through 3.10.0
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10ackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10ackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTSackpkg:deb/ubuntu/ack?arch=source&distro=focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Users should avoid running ack in untrusted repositories or directories containing untrusted .ackrc files. Monitor vendor advisories for updates or patches that block the --files-from option in project .ackrc files. Until a fix is available, restricting usage to trusted environments is recommended.
Description
App::Ack versions through 3.10.0 for Perl contain a vulnerability that allows unauthorized reading of arbitrary files via the --files-from option in a project .ackrc file. The tool loads options from a project .ackrc file by searching upward from the current directory. The --files-from option is not blocked by the project-source option blocklist, enabling a malicious .ackrc file to specify files outside the project directory to be read and searched. Although version 3.10.0 added --follow to the blocklist, it did not block --files-from, leaving this attack vector open. This can lead to unauthorized file disclosure when using ack in untrusted repositories.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-49145 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-49145 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.security.metacpan.org/cve-announce/msg/41643327/ (opens in a new tab)
- metacpan.org/release/PETDANCE/ack-v3.10.0/source/Changes (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/08/7 (opens in a new tab)