CVE-2026-72842: External Control of File Name or Path in openwrt luci
CVE-2026-72842 is a critical vulnerability in the luci-app-lxc component of OpenWrt's LuCI interface. It involves an ACL inconsistency that allows low-privileged authenticated users to bypass authorization checks on backend container management routes. Exploitation is possible through a path traversal attack using the `/.%2E` sequence in the `lxc_name` parameter, enabling attackers to escape container directories and manipulate host-side scripts executed by `lxc.hook.start-host`. This can lead to root code execution on the OpenWrt host.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability CVE-2026-72842 affects the luci-app-lxc component of OpenWrt's LuCI interface. Due to an access control list inconsistency, authenticated users with low privileges can access backend container management routes without proper authorization. By exploiting a path traversal via the `/.%2E` sequence in the `lxc_name` parameter, attackers can escape container directories and gain control over host-side scripts executed through `lxc.hook.start-host`. This results in the ability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the OpenWrt host system.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated low-privileged user to escalate privileges to root on the OpenWrt host by executing arbitrary code. This compromises the host system's integrity and security, potentially leading to full system takeover.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to LuCI interfaces to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to container management routes. Avoid exposing the luci-app-lxc interface to untrusted networks.
CVE-2026-72842: External Control of File Name or Path in openwrt luci
Description
CVE-2026-72842 is a critical vulnerability in the luci-app-lxc component of OpenWrt's LuCI interface. It involves an ACL inconsistency that allows low-privileged authenticated users to bypass authorization checks on backend container management routes. Exploitation is possible through a path traversal attack using the `/.%2E` sequence in the `lxc_name` parameter, enabling attackers to escape container directories and manipulate host-side scripts executed by `lxc.hook.start-host`. This can lead to root code execution on the OpenWrt host.
CVSS v4.0
Score 9.4critical
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability CVE-2026-72842 affects the luci-app-lxc component of OpenWrt's LuCI interface. Due to an access control list inconsistency, authenticated users with low privileges can access backend container management routes without proper authorization. By exploiting a path traversal via the `/.%2E` sequence in the `lxc_name` parameter, attackers can escape container directories and gain control over host-side scripts executed through `lxc.hook.start-host`. This results in the ability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the OpenWrt host system.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated low-privileged user to escalate privileges to root on the OpenWrt host by executing arbitrary code. This compromises the host system's integrity and security, potentially leading to full system takeover.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to LuCI interfaces to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to container management routes. Avoid exposing the luci-app-lxc interface to untrusted networks.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-10T15:14:51.467Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7e4130bf8831d539e0523c
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 22:12:00 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 22:26:51 UTC
Last updated: 08/14/2026, 02:48:38 UTC
Views: 8
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