CVE-2026-80302: Avast sandbox escape via arbitrary file write in virtualized environment

Published Nov 6, 2026
·
Updated

Insufficient isolation in the Avast sandbox file virtualization layer on Windows allows a local, low-privileged attacker executing inside the sandbox to write arbitrary files outside sandbox containment and execute code on the host.

The sandbox virtualizes file system operations by intercepting write requests to protected system directories. However, the virtualization implementation fails to properly validate write targets in certain edge cases, allowing writes to bypass the virtualization redirection and reach the actual host file system in protected locations.

An attacker can exploit this to overwrite executable files, system libraries, or startup configurations with arbitrary content, leading to code execution with host privileges on subsequent system operations or reboot.

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Avast, AVG, and Norton to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 26.7

Event History

Nov 6, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:00 PM
RemedyDescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:18 PM
DescriptionWeakness

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