CVE-2026-53488: Github.com/containerd/containerd //` Logger: Host-root Command Execution Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2026-53488 is a HIGH //` logger: host-root command execution vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')) affecting Github.com/containerd/containerd libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves //` logger: host-root command execution from an image pull. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.7.33, 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2.
CVE-2026-53488 at a Glance
How to Fix CVE-2026-53488
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/containerd/containerd 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 to 1.7.33
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.0.10
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.1.9
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.2.5
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.3.2
Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for github.com/containerd/containerd
How to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2026-53488, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/containerd/containerd:
inspect dependencies for github.com/containerd/containerd
Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/containerd/containerd in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.7.33), 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-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. In Github.com/containerd/containerd, 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-2026-53488 Affected Github.com/containerd/containerd Versions
5 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
github.com/containerd/containerd
|
Go |
≥ 1.7.0
< 1.7.33
|
1.7.33
|
|
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2
|
Go |
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.0.10
|
2.0.10
|
|
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-2026-53488?
Which Github.com/containerd/containerd versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-53488?
Is github.com/containerd/containerd affected?
Is github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 affected?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-53488?
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2026-53488?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-xhf5-7wjv-pqxp",
"modified" : "2026-06-19T19:35:31Z",
"published" : "2026-06-19T19:35:31Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-53488" ],
"summary" : "containerd CRI — image-config `LABEL` flows to restart-monitor `binary://` logger: host-root command execution from an image pull",
"details" : "### Impact\nA bug was found in containerd where the CRI plugin propagates labels from an image config (`LABEL` instruction in Dockerfile) to a container without validation. This may result in executing an arbitrary command on the host, via a plugin that consumes container labels for some operations.\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* 2.0.10\n* 1.7.33\n\nUsers should update to these versions to resolve the issue.\n\n### Workarounds\nEnsure that only trusted images are used.\n\n### Credits\nThe containerd project would like to thank Anthropic Research, in collaboration with Claude, the GKE Security Team using Gemini, and Robert Prast (@robertprast) for independently discovering and responsibly disclosing 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:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/containerd/containerd"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.7.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.7.33"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/containerd/containerd/v2"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.0.10"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"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-xhf5-7wjv-pqxp"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/containerd/containerd"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-19T19:35:31Z",
"nvd_published_at" : null
}
}