CVE-2026-32241CWE-77

Flannel vulnerable to cross-node remote code execution via extension backend BackendData injection

High · published March 27, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.5
EPSS
2%
Percentile
83.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

Flannel is a network fabric for containers, designed for Kubernetes. The Flannel project includes an experimental Extension backend that allows users to easily prototype new backend types. In versions of Flannel prior to 0.28.2, this Extension backend is vulnerable to a command injection that allows an attacker who can set Kubernetes Node annotations to achieve root-level arbitrary command execution on every flannel node in the cluster. The Extension backend's SubnetAddCommand and SubnetRemoveCommand receive attacker-controlled data via stdin (from the `flannel.alpha.coreos.com/backend-data` Node annotation). The content of this annotation is unmarshalled and piped directly to a shell command without checks. Kubernetes clusters using Flannel with the Extension backend are affected by this vulnerability. Other backends such as vxlan and wireguard are unaffected. The vulnerability is fixed in version v0.28.2. As a workaround, use Flannel with another backend such as vxlan or wireguard.

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.5 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02360 · 83.6th percentile
Weakness
CWE-77 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Published
2026-03-27T19:31Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 27 MAR 19:31Z
    Flannel vulnerable to cross-node remote code execution via extension backend BackendData injection
    cvelistv5