Instance template path traversal allows arbitrary host file write as root
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 path traversal vulnerability in LXD's instance template processing allows an attacker with container edit permissions, or any user launching a crafted image, to overwrite arbitrary files on the host system as root. When processing target template paths specified in metadata.yaml, LXD validates the path against a confined os.Root directory handle but subsequently opens and creates the file using os.Create with an unconfined string path. This discrepancy between path resolution checks and file creation allows an attacker to escape directory confinement, overwrite root-owned host files, and achieve host root code execution.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canonical | LXD | 4.0.0 to before 4.0.13; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.9; 5.21.0 to before 5.21.7; 6.0 to before 6.10 | 4.0.13, 5.0.9, 5.21.7, 6.10 | Patch available | CNA |
- LXD VendorCanonical Affected 4.0.0 to before 4.0.13; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.9; 5.21.0 to before 5.21.7; 6.0 to before 6.10 Fixed in 4.0.13, 5.0.9, 5.21.7, 6.10 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 4.0.13; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.9; 5.1 to before 5.21.7; 6.0 – 6.9 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:canonical:lxd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 4.0.13; 5.0.0 to before 5.0.9; 5.1 to before 5.21.7; 6.0 – 6.9 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
- Fix · CNA LXD (Canonical) Fixed in 4.0.13, 5.0.9, 5.21.7, 6.10
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-66897
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-2026-45140 Root RCE via image backup.yaml symlink CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences