Root RCE via image backup.yaml symlink
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
A link following vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve root command execution on the host system. During the import or unpacking of crafted image or backup archives, LXD fails to properly validate and confine the backup.yaml file when it exists as a symbolic link. An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a malicious archive with a symlinked backup.yaml file, causing LXD to process unconfined configuration metadata and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canonical | LXD | 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.8; 5.21.0 to before 5.21.6; 6.0 to before 6.10 | 4.0.12, 5.0.8, 5.21.6, 6.10 | Patch available | CNA |
- LXD VendorCanonical Affected 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.8; 5.21.0 to before 5.21.6; 6.0 to before 6.10 Fixed in 4.0.12, 5.0.8, 5.21.6, 6.10 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.8; 5.1 to before 5.21.6; 6.0 to before 6.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0.0 to before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.8; 5.1 to before 5.21.6; 6.0 to before 6.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
- Fix · CNA LXD (Canonical) Fixed in 4.0.12, 5.0.8, 5.21.6, 6.10
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Canonical LXD 4.0.12, 5.0.8 and 2 more versions
3 records Highest priority Priority HIGH 2 HIGH, 1 MEDIUM
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-45139 Arbitrary File Read/Write: metadata.yaml symlink in image allows host filesystem access as rootPriority HIGH 76
- TI-2026-45141 Project restriction `restricted.containers.privilege=isolated` bypassable by omitting `security.idmap.isolated`Priority MEDIUM 53
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-63294
References
More Canonical Lxd vulnerabilities
- 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-2026-45139 Arbitrary File Read/Write: metadata.yaml symlink in image allows host filesystem access as root CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences