Path Traversal in LXD's instance template processing (CVE-2026-66897)
Summary
Path traversal in LXD's instance template processing (CVE-2026-66897). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
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.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-66897 has been found in LXD's instance template processing.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 9.9/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "LXD's instance template processing CVE-2026-66897" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-66897 (LXD's instance template processing) — CWE-22 / CVSS v3 9.9
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Path traversal (CWE-22) exists in LXD's instance template processing.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of LXD's instance template processing.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.9/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで LXD's instance template processing を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2026-66897 lxd
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2026-66897 lxd
References
- exploit security@ubuntu.com