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Critical · 9.9 CVE-2026-66897 EUVD-2026-64757

Instance template path traversal allows arbitrary host file write as root

Published Aug 24, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026 · Assigned by canonical

Description

A path traversal vulnerability in LXD's instance template processing allows an attacker with container edit permissions, or any user launching a crafted image, to overwrite arbitrary files on the host system as root. When processing target template paths specified in metadata.yaml, LXD validates the path against a confined os.Root directory handle but subsequently opens and creates the file using os.Create with an unconfined string path. This discrepancy between path resolution checks and file creation allows an attacker to escape directory confinement, overwrite root-owned host files, and achieve host root code execution.

Affected products

VendorProductAffectedFixed
Canonical LXD 4.0.0 – < 4.0.13, 5.0.0 – < 5.0.9, 5.21.0 – < 5.21.7, 6.0 – < 6.10 4.0.13

Fixed in Linux distributions

Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.

ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Debian 13 lxd No fix yet —
Debian 12 lxd No fix yet —
ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS lxd No fix yet —
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)
ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS lxd No fix yet —
Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS lxd No fix yet —

References