CVE-2026-50540
Kata Containers is an open source project focusing on a standard implementation of lightweight Virtual Machines (VMs) that perform like containers. Prior to version 4.0.0, kata-runtime is vulnerable to host code execution via an unvalidated configuration path annotation. The runtime accepts an arbitrary io.katacontainers.config_path pod annotation and loads the referenced host TOML file without restriction. As a result, a pod user who can place a file at a host-visible path can supply a configuration that selects an attacker-controlled hypervisor or virtio-fs daemon binary, executing code as root on the host. This issue is fixed in version 4.0.0.
CSIRTS triage
- What
- Config path annotation in Kata Containers allows arbitrary file loading via path traversal, bypassing intended file access restrictions.
- Who is affected
- Deployments of Kata Containers where untrusted container images can control configuration path annotations.
- Urgency
- Critical urgency; arbitrary file read/load leading to potential host compromise, container escape, or sensitive data disclosure.
- Action
- Upgrade Kata Containers to patched version immediately; restrict untrusted container image sources until patched.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.38% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 31% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (2)
- criticalCVE-2026-50540: Kata Containers: Config Path Annotation Arbitrary File Loadingmsrc · 2026-08-11
- criticalCVE-2026-50540: Kata Containers is an open source project focusing on a standard implementation of lightweight…nvd · 2026-08-07
External references
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