Flannel vulnerable to cross-node remote code execution via extension backend BackendData injection
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-77.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| flannel-io | flannel | before 0.28.2 | 0.28.2 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | github.com/flannel-io/flannel (Go) | before 0.28.2 | 0.28.2 | Patch available | GHSA-vchx-5pr6-ffx2 |
- flannel Vendorflannel-io Affected before 0.28.2 Fixed in 0.28.2 Patch available CNA
- github.com/flannel-io/flannel (Go) Vendor— Affected before 0.28.2 Fixed in 0.28.2 Patch available GHSA-vchx-5pr6-ffx2
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:flannel-io:flannel:*:*:*:*:*:kubernetes:*:* | before 0.28.2 | Vulnerable | flannel-io |
- cpe:2.3:a:flannel-io:flannel:*:*:*:*:*:kubernetes:*:* Versions before 0.28.2 Vulnerable ·flannel-io
Remediation
- Fix · CNA flannel (flannel-io) Fixed in 0.28.2
- Fix · GHSA-vchx-5pr6-ffx2 github.com/flannel-io/flannel (Go) Fixed in 0.28.2 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-32241
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-vchx-5pr6-ffx2
References
Advisory 2
Sources
- CVE-2026-32241 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-32241 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-vchx-5pr6-ffx2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences