CRI Label Injection in containerd 1.7.x/2.0-2.3 (1.7.33/2.3.2)
CVE-2026-53488 Published on July 1, 2026
containerd CRI plugin: — image-config `LABEL` flows to restart-monitor `binary://` logger: host-root command execution from an image pull
containerd is an open-source container runtime. In versions prior to 1.7.33, 2.3.2, 2.2.5, 2.1.9, and 2.0.10 the CRI plugin propagates labels from an image config (LABEL instruction in Dockerfile) to a container without validation. This may result in executing an arbitrary command on the host, via a plugin that consumes container labels for some operations. This issue has been fixed in versions 1.7.33, 2.3.2, 2.2.5, 2.1.9, and 2.0.10.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-53488 is exploitable with local system access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have no impact on confidentiality and integrity and availability.
Weakness Type
Improper Input Validation
The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-53488
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Affected Versions
containerd:- Version < 1.7.33 is affected.
- Version >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.10 is affected.
- Version >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.9 is affected.
- Version >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.5 is affected.
- Version >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.2 is affected.
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.