CVE-2026-53489: Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 Arbitrary Host CRI Log File Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2026-53489 is a HIGH arbitrary host cri log file vulnerability (CWE-61: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following) affecting Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves arbitrary host cri log file read via symlink following in cri checkpoint restore. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2.
CVE-2026-53489 at a Glance
How to Fix CVE-2026-53489
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.1.9Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.2.5Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.3.2Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for github.com/containerd/containerd/v2How to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2026-53489, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2:
inspect dependencies for github.com/containerd/containerd/v2Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.1.9), your application is affected.
Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-61: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following, where the product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. this could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files. In Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2026-53489 Affected Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 Versions
3 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2
|
Go |
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.9
|
2.1.9
|
|
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2
|
Go |
≥ 2.2.0
< 2.2.5
|
2.2.5
|
|
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2
|
Go |
≥ 2.3.0
< 2.3.2
|
2.3.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-53489?
Which Github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-53489?
Is github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 affected?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-53489?
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2026-53489?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-rgh6-rfwx-v388",
"modified" : "2026-06-19T19:35:36Z",
"published" : "2026-06-19T19:35:36Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-53489" ],
"summary" : "Arbitrary host CRI log file read via symlink following in CRI checkpoint restore",
"details" : "### Impact\nA bug was found in containerd where the CRI plugin restores `container.log` from a checkpoint image without validating a symlinked path. This could result in reading an arbitrary file on the host via `kubectl logs`.\n\n### Patches\nThis bug has been fixed in the following containerd versions:\n\n* 2.3.2\n* 2.2.5\n* 2.1.9\n\nUsers should update to these versions to resolve the issue.\n\n### Workarounds\nEnsure that only trusted images and checkpoints are used.\n\n### Credits\nThe containerd project would like to thank @gouldnicholas and @davidrxchester, Yuming Zhang and Song Li of Zhejiang University, Sangwon Ryu (@sangwon090), Henry Beberman (@hbeberman) of Microsoft, the GKE Security Team using Gemini, Anthropic Research, in collaboration with Claude, Robert Prast (@robertprast),\nKyle Elliott (@kyle-elliott-tob) of Trail of Bits, and Zhenchen Wang (@Plucky923), who independently discovered and responsibly disclosed this issue in accordance with the [containerd security policy](https://github.com/containerd/project/blob/main/SECURITY.md).\n\n### For more information\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n* Open an issue in [containerd](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/issues/new/choose)\n* Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io)\n\nTo report a security issue in containerd:\n* [Report a new vulnerability](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/new)\n* Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io)",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.1.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.1.9"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.2.5"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.3.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/GHSA-rgh6-rfwx-v388"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/containerd/containerd"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-61" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-19T19:35:36Z",
"nvd_published_at" : null
}
}