---
id: CVE-2026-55201
title: Evil-WinRM - Path Traversal in download_dir() Function
summary: >-
  Evil-WinRM through 3.9, fixed in commit 6ecd570, contains a path traversal
  vulnerability in the download_dir() function that allows a rogue or
  compromised remote Windows server to write files outside the intended download
  directory by re…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-22
vendor: Hackplayers
product: evil-winrm
affected:
  - evil-winrm <= 3.9
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-06-18T13:49:52.347715Z'
published: '2026-06-17'
updated: '2026-11-08'
sourceUpdated: '2026-11-08T14:05:22.472Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-55201'
references:
  - url: 'https://github.com/Hackplayers/evil-winrm/pull/81'
    label: Pull Request
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/Hackplayers/evil-winrm/commit/6ecd570a298562dc72ad73978307eb34182f5850
    label: Patch Commit
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/evil-winrm-path-traversal-in-download-dir-function
tags:
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00304
epssPercentile: 0.23366
ingestedAt: '2026-11-08T14:51:22.373Z'
---

## Overview

Evil-WinRM through 3.9, fixed in commit 6ecd570, contains a path traversal vulnerability in the download_dir() function that allows a rogue or compromised remote Windows server to write files outside the intended download directory by returning filenames with traversal sequences from Get-ChildItem command output that are passed unsanitized to File.join(). Attackers controlling the remote server can exploit this to overwrite sensitive client-side files such as SSH authorized_keys or shell configuration files, achieving persistent access or privilege escalation on the client machine.

## Affected

- `evil-winrm <= 3.9`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.