CVE-2026-16033
Arbitrary file read+write on host via templates/ symlink in malicious image
Description
A path traversal vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve arbitrary host file read or unconstrained file creation. When processing image metadata templates, LXD fails to properly sanitize or restrict template file paths from escaping the instance templates directory (specifically affecting virtual machine / QEMU driver execution paths). An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a crafted image archive with malicious template directives containing path traversal sequences, causing LXD to access or write files outside the intended template directory on the host system.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 12, 2026, 9:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 12, 2026, 9:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | cc1ad9ee-3454-478d-9317-d3e869d708bc | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | MITRE-CVE |
Solution
- Update LXD to the latest version.
- Properly sanitize image metadata template paths.
- Restrict file access to the intended directory.
- Avoid processing untrusted image archives.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-16033.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/canonical/lxd/security/advisories/GHSA-9hcm-hxh5-7xxh |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-16033 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-16033
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-16033 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-16033 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Aug. 12, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'repo': 'https://github.com/canonical/lxd', 'vendor': 'Canonical', 'product': 'LXD', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '4.0.0', 'lessThan': '4.0.12', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '5.0.0', 'lessThan': '5.0.8', 'versionType': 'semver'}], 'platforms': ['Linux'], 'packageName': 'LXD', 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description A path traversal vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve arbitrary host file read or unconstrained file creation. When processing image metadata templates, LXD fails to properly sanitize or restrict template file paths from escaping the instance templates directory (specifically affecting virtual machine / QEMU driver execution paths). An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a crafted image archive with malicious template directives containing path traversal sequences, causing LXD to access or write files outside the intended template directory on the host system. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N Added CWE CWE-22 Added Reference https://github.com/canonical/lxd/security/advisories/GHSA-9hcm-hxh5-7xxh