CVE-2026-53488: 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 instructio

highCVSS 8.8CVE-2026-53488

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.

Details

Source: NVD Recent CVEs (US · database · site)
Severity: high — CVSS 8.8
Published: 2026-07-01
Last updated: 2026-07-03
Exploitation: Not in CISA KEV at last sync

Original advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53488

Exploitation outlook

EPSS (FIRST.org) estimates each CVE’s probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — here is the CSIRTS.com read on those numbers.

Low exploitation riskCVE-2026-534880.20% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 10% of all scored CVEs.

Referenced CVEs

CVE	CSIRTS overview	External
CVE-2026-53488	coverage & exploitation status	NVD · CVE.org

Same CVEs, other sources

How other CERTs, PSIRTs and databases cover the vulnerabilities in this advisory.

Recent advisories for containerd is an

A cluster of recent advisories against the same product widens the attack surface — attackers routinely chain freshly published CVEs on one product, so review these together.

highCVE-2026-53657: Lima launches Linux virtual machines, typically on macOS, for running containerd. Prior to 2.1…nvd · 2026-07-10
high[UPDATE] [high] Google Cloud Platform (GKE containerd): Multiple vulnerabilitiescert-bund · 2026-07-10
criticalCVE-2026-53492: containerd is an open-source container runtime. In Versions prior to 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9, t…nvd · 2026-07-01
mediumCVE-2026-53489: containerd is an open-source container runtime. Versions prior to 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9 conta…nvd · 2026-07-01
criticalCVE-2026-50195: containerd is an open-source container runtime. Versions prior to 2.3.2, 2.2.5 and 2.1.9 conta…nvd · 2026-07-01
mediumCVE-2026-47262: containerd is an open-source container runtime. Versions prior to 1.7.33, 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5…nvd · 2026-07-01