---
id: "CVE-2026-92162"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-92162"]
title: "Flatpak: crafted architecture name lets local user write root-owned files"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.2
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["fedora", "flatpak", "infrastructure", "linux", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["default-config", "no-oci-remote"]
published_at: "2026-10-20T15:17:36+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T03:29:19+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-92162", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00"}]
---

# Flatpak: crafted architecture name lets local user write root-owned files

Flatpak's system helper can be tricked by a local user with a crafted architecture name into creating root-owned directories and files outside its intended root directory, when an OCI remote is configured. Combined with other flaws fixed in the same release, it can lead to local root privilege escalation.

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

## How to check

- Run `flatpak --version` and compare against `1.18.1`.
- Run `flatpak remotes --system` and look for an OCI remote; the issue is not believed exploitable without one.

## Fix

- Upgrade Flatpak to `1.18.1` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:20+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-92162

## From the sources

Flatpak is a system for building, distributing, and running sandboxed desktop applications on Linux. Prior to version 1.18.1, on systems where at least one OCI remote is configured (most common on Fedora systems), a malicious local user in an active local session could use a crafted architecture name to trick the `flatpak-system-helper` process into creating a root-owned directory tree with contents determined by the OCI remote, plus a root-owned `lock` file and `icons` directory, outside the intended root directory. If this vulnerability is combined with other vulnerabilities also fixed in 1.18.1, the combination can lead to local root privilege escalation. This particular vulnerability is not believed to be exploitable if there are no OCI remotes configured (common on non-Fedora systems). Version 1.18.1 patches the issue.

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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_