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TI-2026-13418 Aliases CVE-2026-16033

Arbitrary file read+write on host via templates/ symlink in malicious image

Priority HIGH 70CWE-22Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · Low · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

A path traversal vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve arbitrary host file read or unconstrained file creation. When processing image metadata templates, LXD fails to properly sanitize or restrict template file paths from escaping the instance templates directory (specifically affecting virtual machine / QEMU driver execution paths). An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a crafted image archive with malicious template directives containing path traversal sequences, causing LXD to access or write files outside the intended template directory on the host system.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00467 40th percentileScored 2026-11-08
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed LXD (Canonical): 4.0.12, 5.0.8

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
CanonicalLXD4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.84.0.12, 5.0.8Patch availableCNA
  • LXD VendorCanonical Affected 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.8 Fixed in 4.0.12, 5.0.8 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.7VulnerableCanonical
  • cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.7 Vulnerable ·Canonical

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA LXD (Canonical) Fixed in 4.0.12, 5.0.8

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-16033

References

Exploit 1

  • TI-2026-22659 Authenticated RCE via unsanitized compression_algorithm CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.4
  • TI-2026-47475 Path traversal via unvalidated instance name in backup tarball restore enables root file write / RCE CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
  • TI-2026-45146 Cross-project instance move bypasses all project restrictions allowing host command execution CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
  • TI-2026-45143 Cross-project instance copy bypasses target project restrictions via TOCTOU in config merge CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
  • TI-2026-45142 Project restriction bypass via instance migration config override CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
  • TI-2026-45140 Root RCE via image backup.yaml symlink CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
See all 34 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences