CVE-2026-40226 Privilege escalation in systemd

Medium 6.4 Published 10 Apr 2026 Updated 14 Apr 2026

An attacker can escape to the host system via a crafted optional config file in systemd nspawn, leading to privilege escalation.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2026-40226?

CVE-2026-40226 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Systemd Project Systemd, published on 10 Apr 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In nspawn in systemd 233 through 259 before 260, an escape-to-host action can occur via a crafted optional config file.

Weakness: CWE-348

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-40226?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (8)

`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.2	All versions	`246.16-150300.7.74.1`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.3	All versions	`249.17-150400.8.64.1`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.4	All versions	`249.17-150400.8.64.1`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5	All versions	`249.17-150400.8.64.1`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP7	All versions	`254.27-150600.4.71.2`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP7	All versions	`254.27-150600.4.71.2`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Micro 6.0	All versions	`254.27-4.1`
`systemd` SUSE:Linux Micro 6.1	All versions	`254.27-slfo.1.1_5.1`

Products include Systemd Project Systemd.

How do I fix CVE-2026-40226?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Is CVE-2026-40226 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-40226 exists.

All Systemd Project Systemd vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as AZL-82646, CLSA-2026-1786542017, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-40226, ECHO-918a-fd9a-b2cd, GHSA-9mj4-rrc3-gjcx, GHSA-hc7r-6254-88w5 and 11 more.