# CVE-2026-9804: Kubevirt: kubevirt: vmexport directory symlink escape enables exporter pod file read

> An attacker with namespace access can exploit a symlink path traversal in KubeVirt's export server to read arbitrary files from the exporter pod.

- **Severity:** High 7.7 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 28 May 2026
- **Updated:** 10 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** AZL-89196, GHSA-mpmf-3w4r-qfpf, GO-2026-5883, MINI-29hx-xp67-ggwj, MINI-8qvj-69cw-58c9, MINI-93cp-qr25-w6m8, MINI-9gq9-3v2x-9v36, MINI-ccrp-7rfg-3mqv, MINI-f84c-f4f5-79qg, MINI-hx79-j2j9-c2v9, MINI-mg8g-f36x-qf4c, MINI-q6rq-vpcc-vgrv

## What is CVE-2026-9804?

CVE-2026-9804 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.17, published on 28 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-exportserver component. An attacker with specific namespace-level access can exploit a path traversal vulnerability in the VMExport directory endpoint. By placing a symbolic link (symlink) within an exported filesystem Persistent Volume Claim (PVC) that points outside its designated mount root, the attacker can read arbitrary files from the exporter pod's filesystem. This leads to information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive data.

Weakness: CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-9804?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including kubevirt.io/kubevirt.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `kubevirt.io/kubevirt` | Go | All versions | None |
| `kubevirt.io/kubevirt` | Go | All versions to 1.9.0-beta.0 | None |
| `kubevirt.io/kubevirt` | Go | All versions to 1.9.0-beta.0 | None |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-9804?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2026-9804 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-9804 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-9804 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-9804 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Red Hat Container Native Virtualization 4.17, published on 28 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-9804 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- kubevirt.io/kubevirt (Go): affected all versions; no fix listed
- kubevirt.io/kubevirt (Go): affected all versions up to 1.9.0-beta.0; no fix listed
- kubevirt.io/kubevirt (Go): affected all versions up to 1.9.0-beta.0; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-9804/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-9804/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-9804
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-9804
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-9804

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-9804/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.