CVE-2026-81838 Amazon CVE debrief

Who should care

Users of AWS diagram-as-code versions 0.10 through 0.23 should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to remediate it. Affected operator, platform, vulnerability-management, and security-team impact should be reviewed to ensure proper mitigation. This includes confirming whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assigning an owner for follow-up.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the zip extraction functionality of AWS diagram-as-code (awsdac) versions 0.10 through 0.23. A third party can write arbitrary files to the local filesystem via crafted zip entry names containing path traversal sequences. This could allow the third party to perform inappropriate actions in the diagram bundle. Users should review and validate input to zip extraction functionality and implement additional monitoring and logging for file system writes.

Defensive priority

Medium-priority defensive actions are recommended due to the potential for arbitrary file writes.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to version 0.24 or later of AWS diagram-as-code
• Review and validate input to zip extraction functionality
• Implement additional monitoring and logging for file system writes
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented

Evidence notes

Evidence from the NVD and CVE Program records indicates a relative path traversal vulnerability in AWS diagram-as-code versions 0.10 through 0.23. The vulnerability allows a third party to write arbitrary files to the local filesystem via crafted zip entry names containing path traversal sequences. Defenders should verify affected product deployments, review official advisories, and plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.