Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.12: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
CVE-2026-7374 is a critical-severity improper link resolution before file access vulnerability in Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.12 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.74% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 55% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.12 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.12 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.13 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.14 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.15 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.16 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.17 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.18 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.19 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.20 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.21 | 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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.9 | Critical | CNA (redhat.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.9 | Critical | CNA |
Official description
A flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-handler component. This vulnerability allows an authenticated OpenShift user with edit permissions in a single namespace to exploit improper symlink validation when connecting to virtual machine console sockets. By replacing the console socket with a symlink to the host's container runtime (CRI-O) socket, an attacker can hijack virt-handler's privileged connection. This enables the attacker to access any Unix socket on the host, potentially leading to full control of the node and the entire cluster.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- 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 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities (CWE-59)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20720
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20736
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20763
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20767
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20782
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20825
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20866
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20886
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20890
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20975
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-7374
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2463728
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-7374.json
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.12
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Microsoft Defender Link Following Exploited
- 7.4 High severity
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