CVE-2026-86541 — knowns before 0.30.0 Path Traversal via code.replace MCP action
knowns versions before 0.30.0 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the handleCodeReplace() function that allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files outside the project root. Attackers can supply absolute paths or relative paths containing directory traversal sequences to write malicious content to sensitive files like shell startup scripts or SSH configuration files.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- Technical severity (high)+6
- Automatable exploitation (SSVC)+3
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Knowns-dev Knowns).
- The attack is network-based and needs no privileges: restrict exposure (ACLs, VPN, WAF) until patched.
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Exploitation requires user interaction: tighten email/web filtering and warn affected users.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (file handling), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowns-dev | Knowns | < 0.30.0 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.2 | CVSS 4.0 | High | — | — | disclosure@vulncheck.com via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 7.2 | CVSS 4.0 | High | — | — | VulnCheck via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
| 8.3 | CVSS 3.1 | High | 2.8 | 5.5 | disclosure@vulncheck.com via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 8.3 | CVSS 3.1 | High | — | — | VulnCheck via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H (score shown at the top: disclosure@vulncheck.com) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
- Monitor file creation in web directories and paths with traversal sequences (../).
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Affected products added · knowns-dev/knowns
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- CVSS changed · 8.3
- Source status changed · → Deferred
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026
References
5 on the record
- github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/commit/a2c98fc5c313463576c9348beeec6a74ddd7333b
- www.vulncheck.com/advisories/knowns-before-0.30.0-path-traversal-via-code-replace-mcp-a
- github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/security/advisories/GHSA-f539-xgc6-xw7q
- github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/blob/v0.29.1/internal/mcp/handlers/code.go
- github.com/knowns-dev/knowns/releases/tag/v0.30.0
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Critical CVE-2026-88899 knowns before 0.31.0 External Control of Agent Working Directory via x-opencode-directory Header Sep 10, 2026
- High CVE-2026-88937 knowns through 0.33.0 Path Traversal via Template Engine Sep 10, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-88938 knowns through 0.33.0 Path Traversal via code.find MCP tool Sep 10, 2026
- High CVE-2026-88939 knowns through 0.33.0 Authorization Bypass via project.set Bootstrap Exemption Sep 10, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-88940 knowns through 0.33.0 Arbitrary Directory Enumeration via workspace browse endpoint Sep 10, 2026
- High CVE-2026-86775 knowns before 0.30.0 Path Traversal via Document API Sep 9, 2026
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No FIRST EPSS score.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-86541 is "knowns before 0.30.0 Path Traversal via code.replace MCP action", rated High. It affects Knowns (Knowns-dev); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 8.3 describes technical severity. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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