CVE-2026-53489

containerd: Arbitrary host CRI log file read via symlink following in CRI checkpoint restore

CVSS 4.0 8.2 HIGHEUVD CVSS 4.0 8.2 CVSS 4.0 · [email protected] · Secondary 8.2 HIGHCVSS 3.1 · [email protected] · Primary 6.5 MEDIUMCVSS_V4 Publisher rating HIGHFixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.1.9 Fixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.2.5 Fixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.3.2osv · severity unknownFixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.1.9 Fixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.2.5 Fixed by github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 2.3.2KEV status unknown

Original advisory

cve-program · CVE-2026-53489

Published

containerd is an open-source container runtime. Versions prior to 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9 contain a bug where the CRI plugin restores container.log from a checkpoint image without validating a symlinked path. This could result in reading an arbitrary file on the host via kubectl logs. This issue has been fixed in versions 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9.

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euvd · EUVD-2026-41110

Published

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nvd · CVE-2026-53489

Published

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osv · GHSA-rgh6-rfwx-v388

Published

### Impact A bug was found in containerd where the CRI plugin restores `container.log` from a checkpoint image without validating a symlinked path. This could result in reading an arbitrary file on the host via `kubectl logs`. ### Patches This bug has been fixed in the following containerd versions: * 2.3.2 * 2.2.5 * 2.1.9 Users should update to these versions to resolve the issue. ### Workarounds Ensure that only trusted images and checkpoints are used. ### Credits The containerd project would like to thank @gouldnicholas and @davidrxchester, Yuming Zhang and Song Li of Zhejiang University, Sangwon Ryu (@sangwon090), Henry Beberman (@hbeberman) of Microsoft, the GKE Security Team using Gemini, Anthropic Research, in collaboration with Claude, Robert Prast (@robertprast), Kyle Elliott (@kyle-elliott-tob) of Trail of Bits, and Zhenchen Wang (@Plucky923), who independently discovered and responsibly disclosed this issue in accordance with the [containerd security policy](https://github.com/containerd/project/blob/main/SECURITY.md). ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [containerd](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/issues/new/choose) * Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) To report a security issue in containerd: * [Report a new vulnerability](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/new) * Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

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osv · GO-2026-5622

Published

Arbitrary host CRI log file read via symlink following in CRI checkpoint restore in github.com/containerd/containerd

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Affected versions, risk and source history

Exploitation and risk

Source status

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Risk history

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Advisory history

13 saved versions

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13 Nov 2026 14:04:27 UTC