CVE-2026-23954CWE-22

Incus container image templating arbitrary host file read and write

High · published January 22, 2026

CVSS v3.1
8.7
EPSS
1%
Percentile
55.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ An unassuming container can turn into a door for chaos! A simple directory traversal in Incus versions 6.21.0 and below lets attackers read and write files on the host, leading to arbitrary command execution! 🔥 Think of it as a mischievous delivery service that doesn’t check addresses properly; an attacker can forward a package to their own address instead of the intended recipient, opening up a whole world of mischief! 📦 This vulnerability is like giving an overzealous guest the keys to your house – they could not only read your private documents but also delete files or plant dangerous surprises. The consequences could be devastating, as attackers could gain full control over the host system!

Put simply

Think of it as a mischievous delivery service that doesn’t check addresses properly; an attacker can forward a package to their own address instead of the intended recipient, opening up a whole world of mischief! 📦 In Incus, users can exploit the templating functionality by utilizing directory traversal or symbolic links, allowing them to manipulate file paths without checks. This can lead to unauthorized file reads and writes, ultimately enabling arbitrary command execution on the host machine.

What to do

This vulnerability is like giving an overzealous guest the keys to your house – they could not only read your private documents but also delete files or plant dangerous surprises. The consequences could be devastating, as attackers could gain full control over the host system! To safeguard your system, immediately update to the soon-to-be-released versions 6.21.0 and 6.0.6 when they’re available. Additionally, enforce stricter validation on directory paths and consult your configuration settings to limit user permissions appropriately. You've got this! Stay vigilant, and with these updates, you'll be a security hero in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
8.7 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00781 · 55.5th percentile
Weakness
CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Published
2026-01-22T21:45Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 22 JAN 21:45Z
    Incus container image templating arbitrary host file read and write
    cvelistv5