CVE-2026-50540

9.6 CRITICAL 0.4% exploit odds Fix listed Other OS & kernel

What it is

Kata Containers is an open source project focusing on a standard implementation of lightweight Virtual Machines (VMs) that perform like containers. Prior to version 4.0.0, kata-runtime is vulnerable to host code execution via an unvalidated configuration path annotation. The runtime accepts an arbitrary io.katacontainers.config_path pod annotation and loads the referenced host TOML file without restriction. As a result, a pod user who can place a file at a host-visible path can supply a configuration that selects an attacker-controlled hypervisor or virtio-fs daemon binary, executing code as root on the host. This issue is fixed in version 4.0.0.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
Exploit odds: 0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2026-08-07 21:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-09-09 21:02 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.6 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2026-08-07 21:17 UTC
Last modified: 2026-09-09 21:02 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-20 · Improper input validation
Record status: Deferred

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.6

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: None

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

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-2026-50540.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-50540. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record