CVE-2026-11816: Keras versions prior to 3.14.0 are vulnerable to a path traversal issue in the archive extraction utilities located in `keras/src/utils/file

Keras versions prior to 3.14.0 are vulnerable to a path traversal issue in the archive extraction utilities located in `keras/src/utils/file_utils.py`.

Keras versions prior to 3.14.0 are vulnerable to a path traversal issue in the archive extraction utilities located in `keras/src/utils/file_utils.py`. The functions `filter_safe_tarinfos()` and `filter_safe_zipinfos()` validate archive member paths against the process current working directory (CWD) instead of the actual extraction destination. When the process runs with CWD set to `/`, which is common in Docker containers, CI/CD runners, and Jupyter environments, the validation boundary becomes the filesystem root, allowing traversal paths to bypass the security check. Additionally, the zip filter contains a bug that causes an `AttributeError` when a blocked entry is encountered, leading to incomplete extraction. Furthermore, Python 3.11 installations lack the `filter="data"` safety net, leaving them entirely reliant on the flawed CWD-based filter. Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary file writes outside the intended extraction directory, enabling attackers to overwrite configuration files, inject malicious code, or corrupt machine learning datasets and pipelines.

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by security@huntr.dev

What it means for a small business

If your business uses keras-team/keras, install the vendor's update. If you're not sure whether you use it, ask whoever manages your computers.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.56%, higher than 46% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 28, 2026, updated daily.

Check your own setup

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Server check: what your web server says about itself, and whether that version has known flaws.

Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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