CVE-2026-48749 Incus has an arbitrary file read+write on host via rootfs/ symlink in malicious image
Attackers can read or write arbitrary host files via malicious images, potentially leading to code execution in Incus.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-48749?
CVE-2026-48749 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in lxc incus, published on 21 Aug 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, a specially crafted image can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. Version 7.2.0 fixes the issue.
Weakness: CWE-73
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48749?
5 open source packages ship an affected version, including github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd, github.com/lxc/incus and github.com/lxc/incus/v6.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd Go | All versions | 7.2.0 |
github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd Go | All versions | 7.2.0 |
github.com/lxc/incus Go | All versions | None |
github.com/lxc/incus/v6 Go | All versions | None |
github.com/lxc/incus/v7 Go | All versions | 7.2.0 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-48749?
Upgrade github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd to 7.2.0 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-48749 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-48749 exists.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-48749, GHSA-2q3f-q5pq-g8wv, GO-2026-5798, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-48749.