CVE-2020-26278

What it is

Weave Net is open source software which creates a virtual network that connects Docker containers across multiple hosts and enables their automatic discovery. Weave Net before version 2.8.0 has a vulnerability in which can allow an attacker to take over any host in the cluster. Weave Net is supplied with a manifest that runs pods on every node in a Kubernetes cluster, which are responsible for managing network connections for all other pods in the cluster. This requires a lot of power over the host, and the manifest sets `privileged: true`, which gives it that power. It also set `hostPID: true`, which gave it the ability to access all other processes on the host, and write anywhere in the root filesystem of the host. This setting was not necessary, and is being removed. You are only vulnerable if you have an additional vulnerability (e.g. a bug in Kubernetes) or misconfiguration that allows an attacker to run code inside the Weave Net pod, No such bug is known at the time of release, and there are no known instances of this being exploited. Weave Net 2.8.0 removes the hostPID setting and moves CNI plugin install to an init container. Users who do not update to 2.8.0 can edit the hostPID line in their existing DaemonSet manifest to say false instead of true, arrange some other way to install CNI plugins (e.g. Ansible) and remove those mounts from the DaemonSet manifest.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited from the same network segment with a low-privilege account. High risk of data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2021-01-20 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:07 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.8 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2021-01-20 22:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:07 UTC

Exploit probability

0.7% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-250 · Unnecessary privileges

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Weave < 2.8.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.8

Attack vector

Adjacent network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-26278.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-26278. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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