containerd CRI pathtraversal bug pre2.3.2/2.2.5/2.1.9
CVE-2026-53489 Published on July 1, 2026
containerd: Arbitrary host CRI log file read via symlink following in CRI checkpoint restore
containerd is an open-source container runtime. Versions prior to 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9 contain a bug where the CRI plugin restores container.log from a checkpoint image without validating a symlinked path. This could result in reading an arbitrary file on the host via kubectl logs. This issue has been fixed in versions 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-53489 can be exploited 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
What is a Symlink following Vulnerability?
The software, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the software to operate on unauthorized files. A software system that allows UNIX symbolic links (symlink) as part of paths whether in internal code or through user input can allow an attacker to spoof the symbolic link and traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files. The symbolic link can permit an attacker to read/write/corrupt a file that they originally did not have permissions to access.
CVE-2026-53489 has been classified to as a Symlink following vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-53489
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Affected Versions
containerd:- 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.