CVE-2026-1616: Path Traversal in Nginx

The core of this vulnerability lies in how Nginx handles the $uri$args variable within its configuration files. An attacker can craft malicious query parameters that, when concatenated with the URI, lead to path traversal. This allows them to bypass intended access controls and read files outside of the intended web root. Successful exploitation could lead to the exposure of sensitive configuration files, source code, or even system files, depending on the Nginx configuration and file system permissions. While direct code execution is unlikely, the information gained could be used to identify other vulnerabilities or facilitate further attacks, such as privilege escalation.

1. Reserved2026-01-29
2. Published2026-01-29
3. Modified2026-03-10
4. EPSS updated2026-03-23

The primary mitigation for CVE-2026-1616 is to upgrade to Nginx version 2025.9.0 or later, which contains the fix. If upgrading immediately is not feasible, consider implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to sanitize query parameters and prevent path traversal attempts. Specifically, the WAF should be configured to block requests containing suspicious characters or patterns in the query string. Additionally, review your Nginx configuration to ensure that the $uri$args variable is not used in sensitive contexts and that file access permissions are appropriately restricted. After upgrade, confirm by attempting to access a restricted file via a crafted query parameter; access should be denied.