High [CVE-2026-71364] Awx: project archive extraction allows path traversal file writes

A path traversal vulnerability was found in AWX's project archive extraction. The project_archive action plugin extracts zip and tar archive members by joining the project directory path with the member filename without performing path normalization, boundary validation, or rejecting directory traversal sequences.

A malicious archive containing members with path traversal components can write files to arbitrary locations on the execution node's filesystem outside the intended project directory.

An attacker who controls the archive content, either through a compromised upstream source, a malicious archive URL, or a man-in-the-middle attack on a plain HTTP connection, can achieve arbitrary file writes as the user performing the extraction, potentially leading to remote code execution through mechanisms such as cron files, SSH authorized keys, or playbook content injection.

Red Hat has assessed this vulnerability as Important impact. This is a well-known vulnerability class (Zip Slip) that allows arbitrary file writes when a user with project administration privileges creates or updates an archive-type project pointing to a malicious archive source.

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform ships the affected code as part of Automation Controller.