PatchSiren

PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-65700 h2oai CVE debrief

CVE-2026-65700 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in h2oGPT's OpenAI-compatible files API. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read, write, and delete arbitrary files accessible to the server process by supplying traversal sequences in the bearer token. The get_user_dir function in openai_server/backend_utils.py uses the bearer token string unsanitized as a path component via os.path.join, enabling attackers to traverse outside the intended user directory through the file content, delete, and upload endpoints to achieve remote code execution by writing to startup hooks or application-loaded files. Users of h2oGPT version 0.2.1 and prior should be aware of this critical vulnerability.

Vendor
h2oai
Product
h2ogpt
CVSS
CRITICAL 9.3
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-23
Original CVE updated
2026-07-27
Advisory published
2026-07-23
Advisory updated
2026-07-27

Who should care

Users of h2oGPT version 0.2.1 and prior should be aware of this critical vulnerability. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution, which can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches and system compromise. Organizations using h2oGPT should prioritize patching this vulnerability to prevent potential attacks. Operators, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams should review exposure and implement mitigations.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by the unsanitized use of the bearer token as a path component in the get_user_dir function of openai_server/backend_utils.py. This allows attackers to supply traversal sequences and access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.3 and is classified as CRITICAL. Affected product deployments of h2oGPT version 0.2.1 and prior should be reviewed for exposure. Users should prioritize patching this vulnerability to prevent potential attacks, including remote code execution by writing to startup hooks or application-loaded files. The CVE record was published on 2026-07-23T18:17:01.327Z and last modified on 2026-07-27T17:16:40.310Z. The NVD entry is currently Deferred.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Patch h2oGPT to the latest version
  • Restrict access to the OpenAI-compatible files API
  • Monitor for suspicious activity
  • Implement additional security measures, such as authentication and authorization
  • 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

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-23T18:17:01.327Z and last modified on 2026-07-27T17:16:40.310Z. The NVD entry is currently Deferred. Evidence is limited to CVE and NVD details. Defenders should verify affected product scope, vendor guidance, and potential exposure.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-65700 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-65700

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-65700 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-65700

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental 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.