Vulnerability Description
A file overwrite vulnerability exists in Epiphany when installing WebExtension packages from .xpi files. In src/webextension/ephy-web-extension-manager.c, decompress_xpi_thread() used libarchive with archive_read_support_format_all() (and filters), so the installer did not require a real ZIP. A TAR file named *.xpi was extracted. TAR supports hard-link entry types; with Epiphany's archive_write_disk options (including ARCHIVE_EXTRACT_PERM), a crafted hard-link target can cause an attacker-chosen existing user-writable file to be truncated and overwritten with attacker-controlled content and mode bits, without a dedicated warning dialog, when the user installs or opens the crafted .xpi. This is related to but separate from the ZIP-slip path traversal fixed as CVE-2026-77679 (#2922 / MR !2143). Requirements: the victim must install or open a malicious WebExtension (.xpi). Affected: Epiphany >= 47.0 (WebExtension XPI install path). Fixed: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/epiphany/-/merge_requests/2248 (commit 0cc9ab55 — only enable ZIP format support). Upstream: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/epiphany/-/work_items/2988 Reporter acknowledgment: Fernando Munoz
CVSS Score
MEDIUM
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-118599
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2562969
- https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/epiphany/-/merge_requests/2248
- https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/epiphany/-/work_items/2988
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-118599?
CVE-2026-118599 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A file overwrite vulnerability exists in Epiphany when installing WebExtension packages from .xpi files. In src/webextension/ephy-web-extension-manager.c, decompress_xpi_thread() used libarchive with...
How severe is CVE-2026-118599?
CVE-2026-118599 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 5.5/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-118599?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.