CVE-2026-22871 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22 found in DataDog's GuardDog CLI tool, which is designed to detect malicious PyPI packages. The vulnerability resides in the safe_extract() function used to unpack package contents. Prior to version 2.7.1, this function improperly limits pathnames, allowing crafted PyPI packages to escape the intended extraction directory. This enables attackers to overwrite arbitrary files on the victim system, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE). The vulnerability does not require privileges or authentication but does require user interaction to trigger the extraction process. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7 reflects the vulnerability's network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no authentication, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the flaw poses a severe risk to environments where GuardDog is used to analyze PyPI packages, as attackers could craft malicious packages to compromise systems. The issue was publicly disclosed on January 13, 2026, and fixed in GuardDog version 2.7.1. Organizations relying on GuardDog for supply chain security should upgrade immediately and review their package extraction workflows to detect any signs of exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-22871 is significant due to the widespread use of Python and reliance on supply chain security tools like GuardDog. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary file overwrite and remote code execution, compromising system integrity and potentially allowing attackers to deploy malware, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations. This risk is heightened in sectors with critical infrastructure, software development, and cloud services, where Python package management is integral. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks or persistent footholds if exploited. Given the high CVSS score and the lack of required privileges or authentication, even less privileged users or automated processes could trigger exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for rapid weaponization remains. European organizations must consider the risk to their software supply chain security and the broader implications for operational continuity and data protection compliance under regulations like GDPR.

1. Immediately upgrade GuardDog to version 2.7.1 or later to apply the official fix for the path traversal vulnerability. 2. Audit all systems running GuardDog to identify any usage of vulnerable versions and remove or isolate affected instances. 3. Implement strict monitoring and logging of package extraction activities, focusing on unexpected file writes outside designated directories. 4. Employ file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized changes to critical system files that could result from exploitation. 5. Restrict user permissions and execution contexts for GuardDog to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, such as running it in sandboxed or containerized environments. 6. Review and tighten supply chain security policies, including verifying package sources and hashes before extraction. 7. Educate developers and security teams about the risks of malicious PyPI packages and the importance of timely updates. 8. Consider network segmentation and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect and contain suspicious activities related to package analysis workflows.