CVE-2026-13201

What it is

A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package used by virt-handler. The OpenAtNoFollow function uses O_PATH|O_NOFOLLOW to obtain a file descriptor to a path leaf, but downstream operations resolve the path via /proc/self/fd/N using link-following syscalls. When the leaf is a symlink, the kernel dereferences it, defeating the intended no-follow protection. An attacker with access to a virt-launcher pod can exploit this to redirect virt-handler's IPC socket connections, including the notify socket used for VM domain lifecycle events. By hijacking this socket, the attacker can inject arbitrary domain events into virt-handler, causing it to take incorrect lifecycle actions, corrupt VM state in the Kubernetes API, or crash — resulting in sustained denial of VM management services for all virtual machines on the affected node. Additionally, the same symlink following flaw allows virt-handler to apply file ownership or permission changes to unintended host paths.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2026-06-24 21:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-25 22:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-06-24 21:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-25 22:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-61

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Kubevirt
• Redhat Openshift Virtualization ≤ 4.22.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.3

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

High