---
id: "CVE-2026-111448"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-111448"]
title: "Wheels: case-insensitive path checks let symlinks escape the app root"
severity: "low"
cvss: 3.7
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["cfml", "coldfusion", "linux", "package", "wheels"]
not_affected_if: ["case-insensitive-filesystem", "version-4.2.0-or-later"]
published_at: "2026-10-16T04:18:31+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:12+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T04:45:19+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-111448", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:12+00:00"}]
---

# Wheels: case-insensitive path checks let symlinks escape the app root

Wheels 4.0.0 through 4.1.2 compares paths case-insensitively on case-sensitive filesystems, so a symlink to a case-distinct sibling directory can pass containment checks. An attacker can reach files outside the intended root, with limited file disclosure, and the CLI database-dump check can write outside the application root.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed Wheels version in the application's dependencies, looking for `4.0.0` through `4.1.2`
- Look for symlinks inside the application root that point to directories whose names differ only by letter case
- Unknown whether the sources list other checks

## Fix

- Upgrade Wheels to `4.2.0`
- Unknown whether the sources give a workaround before upgrading

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:12+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-111448

## From the sources

Wheels 4.0.0 through 4.1.2 uses case-insensitive comparisons in path-containment checks on case-sensitive filesystems. Canonical-path checks for zip entries, package mappings, development assets/docs, guide images and image tags can accept paths through an existing symlink to a case-distinct sibling directory, allowing access outside the intended root, including limited file disclosure. Separately, the CLI database-dump output check can write outside the application root to an existing writable case-distinct sibling directory; that action requires the CLI POST, loopback and password gate. This is fixed in 4.2.0.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_