kata-containers: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following
CVE-2026-41326 is a high-severity UNIX symbolic link (symlink) following vulnerability in kata-containers, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected kata-containers versions: >= 3.4.0, < 3.29.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Confidential Containers to 0.20.0 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kata-containers | kata-containers | >= 3.4.0, < 3.29.0 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.19 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Confidential Compute Attestation | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Katacontainers | Confidential Containers | 0.9.0 up to, but not including, 0.20.0 | 0.20.0 |
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
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.2 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA |
Official description
Kata Containers is an open source project focusing on a standard implementation of lightweight Virtual Machines (VMs) that perform like containers. From v3.4.0 to v3.28.0, an oversight in the CopyFile policy (and perhaps the CopyFile handler) allows untrusted hosts to write to arbitrary locations inside the guest workload image. This can be used to overwrite binaries inside the guest and exfiltrate data from containers; even those running inside CVMs. This vulnerability is fixed in v3.29.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following
The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Symbolic link attacks often occur when a program creates a tmp directory that stores files/links. Access to the directory should be restricted to the program as to prevent attackers from manipulating the files.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system. Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
More UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerabilities (CWE-61)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/13/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in kata-containers
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
Recent UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
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