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CVE-2026-78254

HIGH 7.4 ALL-YEARS

Published 2026-09-07 · Last modified 2026-09-08 · apache · NVD: Analyzed

The ftp and scp tasks of Apache Ant can download files from a remote server. A malicious server can provide relative paths that allow it to write outside of the dedicated target directory for the download, making it possible to overwrite files of the attacker's choice using the permissions of the user running Ant in versions prior to Ant 1.10.18. In order to exploit this vulnerability, the server would either have to be malicious or be subject to a machine-in-the-middle attack. Additionally in the case of scp or the ftp task using ftps the server must pass the server identity checks performed by the tasks. For ftp tasks not using ftps a malicious server could act as a machine-in-the-middle to provide malicious files. Starting with Ant 1.10.18 both tasks will prevent writing outside of the destination directory by default. An option is available to disable this behavior in the unlikely case that the old behavior is required by existing build files. Mitigations: Users of scp and ftp (when using ftps) in any version of Ant should not bypass server identity checks. Users of ftp not using ftps should switch to ftps where possible. All users are recommended to upgrade to Apache Ant 1.10.18, which fixes this issue.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.4), but no confirmed exploitation. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.5%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 43rd percentile

○ In CISA KEV○ Public exploit / PoC◆ SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no

Impact if exploited

7.4CVSS 3.1 · HIGH · ADP

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityNone

What an attacker needs

  • ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
  • ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ⚠Complexity: Needs a race window or specific setup

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

No public exploit or proof-of-concept code is catalogued for this CVE (no ExploitDB, Nuclei, or CISA-KEV entry). It may still exist — search GitHub or check the references below.

Affected

Vendors Apache Software Foundation Apache

Products Apache Ant Ant

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-23: Relative path traversal

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Known Affected Software Configurations

VendorProductVersion range
ApacheAnt< 1.10.18

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.4 v3.1 · ADP Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
  • HIGH 7.4 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References

Advisories

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS