podman-desktop: Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information
CVE-2026-34045 is a critical-severity generation of error message containing sensitive information vulnerability in podman-desktop, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected podman-desktop versions: < 1.26.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.48% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of podman-desktop you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podman-desktop | podman-desktop | < 1.26.2 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Build of Podman Desktop | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Build of Podman Desktop - Tech Preview | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | CNA |
Official description
Podman Desktop is a graphical tool for developing on containers and Kubernetes. Prior to 1.26.2, an unauthenticated HTTP server exposed by Podman Desktop allows any network attacker to remotely trigger denial-of-service conditions and extract sensitive information. By abusing missing connection limits and timeouts, an attacker can exhaust file descriptors and kernel memory, leading to application crash or full host freeze. Additionally, verbose error responses disclose internal paths and system details (including usernames on Windows), aiding further exploitation. The issue requires no authentication or user interaction and is exploitable over the network. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.26.2.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information
The product generates an error message that includes sensitive information about its environment, users, or associated data.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Handle exceptions internally and do not display errors containing potentially sensitive information to a user.
- Use naming conventions and strong types to make it easier to spot when sensitive data is being used. When creating structures, objects, or other complex entities, separate the sensitive and non-sensitive data as much as possible.
- Debugging information should not make its way into a production release.
More Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-209)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in podman-desktop
- 7.1 High severity
Recent Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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