Host-root code execution via unvalidated config annotation
Published Aug 7, 2026 · Updated Aug 7, 2026
Improper input validation in Kata Containers before 4.0.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute code as root on the host. The load_config path accepts io.katacontainers.config_path without restriction, loads the referenced host TOML file, and honors attacker-selected hypervisor or virtio-fs binary paths. Exploitation requires pod-creation and annotation privileges plus an attacker-controlled file at a host-visible path; successful use compromises the host node.
Summary
What happened
Improper input validation in Kata Containers before 4.0.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute code as root on the host. The load_config path accepts io.katacontainers.config_path without restriction, loads the referenced host TOML file, and honors attacker-selected hypervisor or virtio-fs binary paths. Exploitation requires pod-creation and annotation privileges plus an attacker-controlled file at a host-visible path; successful use compromises the host node.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-50540
- Published
- Aug 7, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 7, 2026
- Vendor
- Kata Containers
- Product
- Kata Containers
- Classifications
- CWE-20, T1611
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 7, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 4.0.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- Upstream config-path annotation proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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