CVE-2026-1616 is a path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22, affecting Red Hat's Open Security Issue Management (OSIM) product versions prior to 2025.9.0. The root cause lies in the nginx configuration file where the concatenation of $uri and $args variables is improperly handled, enabling attackers to craft malicious query parameters that traverse directories outside the intended restricted path. This flaw allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server without requiring authentication or user interaction, as the vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low complexity. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the high confidentiality impact due to unauthorized file disclosure, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality of sensitive data managed by OSIM. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 29, 2026, with no official patches linked yet, though upgrading to version 2025.9.0 or later is advised. The issue underscores the importance of secure web server configuration, particularly in concatenating URI and query arguments safely to prevent path traversal attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information managed by OSIM, including security issue data and internal reports. Confidentiality breaches could expose critical vulnerability management details, potentially aiding further attacks. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Red Hat OSIM for security issue tracking are particularly at risk. The lack of integrity or availability impact limits the scope to data exposure rather than system disruption. However, the sensitive nature of the data involved elevates the risk profile. The remote, unauthenticated exploit vector increases the attack surface, especially for publicly accessible OSIM deployments. This could lead to compliance violations under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation.

1. Upgrade OSIM to version 2025.9.0 or later as soon as possible once available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Review and harden nginx configuration files to avoid unsafe concatenation of $uri and $args variables; consider using secure methods to sanitize and validate input parameters. 3. Implement strict access controls on the filesystem to limit the web server's ability to read sensitive directories and files outside the intended scope. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting query parameters. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on web server configurations and input validation mechanisms. 6. Monitor network traffic and logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit path traversal vectors. 7. Isolate OSIM deployments behind VPNs or internal networks where feasible to reduce exposure to unauthenticated remote attacks. 8. Educate system administrators on secure configuration practices for nginx and related components.