Critical severity · published Aug 12, 2026
CVE-2026-63294
Root RCE via image backup.yaml symlink
9.9
CVSS
0.9%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
A link following vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve root command execution on the host system. During the import or unpacking of crafted image or backup archives, LXD fails to properly validate and confine the backup.yaml file when it exists as a symbolic link. An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a malicious archive with a symlinked backup.yaml file, causing LXD to process unconfined configuration metadata and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.9% · higher than 59% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
LX
LXD · Canonical
4.0.0 before 4.0.12; 5.0.0 before 5.0.8; 5.21.0 before 5.21.6; 6.0 before 6.10 · source: vendor, NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-63294
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-63294
Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/canonical/lxd/security/advisories/GHSA-fv82-v4fj-mm4m
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