CVE-2026-95521: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
A command injection flaw was found in rpm. Installing or rebuilding a source RPM whose source or spec file basenames contain a %() macro construct causes rpm to execute an attacker-controlled shell command via popen() while relocating the source file list. This allows arbitrary command execution as the invoking (typically non-root) user, simply by installing, rebuilding, or otherwise processing an untrusted .src.rpm.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands within the rpm package manager on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. Specifically, when a source RPM's source or spec file basenames include a %() macro construct, rpm executes shell commands via popen() during source file list relocation. An attacker can exploit this by providing a crafted .src.rpm file, leading to arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the user running rpm.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the invoking user, which is typically a non-root user. This can lead to compromise of the user's environment and potentially further system impact depending on user privileges. The CVSS score of 7.8 reflects high severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-95521 for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is applied, avoid installing or rebuilding untrusted source RPMs containing %() macros in source or spec file basenames.
CVE-2026-95521: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Description
A command injection flaw was found in rpm. Installing or rebuilding a source RPM whose source or spec file basenames contain a %() macro construct causes rpm to execute an attacker-controlled shell command via popen() while relocating the source file list. This allows arbitrary command execution as the invoking (typically non-root) user, simply by installing, rebuilding, or otherwise processing an untrusted .src.rpm.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Red Hat
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Red Hat
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Red Hat
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Red Hat
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Red Hat
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Red Hat
Red Hat Hardened Images
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands within the rpm package manager on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. Specifically, when a source RPM's source or spec file basenames include a %() macro construct, rpm executes shell commands via popen() during source file list relocation. An attacker can exploit this by providing a crafted .src.rpm file, leading to arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the user running rpm.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the invoking user, which is typically a non-root user. This can lead to compromise of the user's environment and potentially further system impact depending on user privileges. The CVSS score of 7.8 reflects high severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-95521 for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is applied, avoid installing or rebuilding untrusted source RPMs containing %() macros in source or spec file basenames.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-22T08:44:44.967Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-95521","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 6ab52a4af7a7c54106626649
Added to database: 09/24/2026, 13:48:58 UTC
Last enriched: 09/24/2026, 14:02:57 UTC
Last updated: 09/25/2026, 01:56:00 UTC
Views: 9
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