CVE-2026-53488: Github.com/containerd/containerd //` Logger: Host-root Command Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-xhf5-7wjv-pqxp
CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-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

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-53488
GHSA Identifier GHSA-xhf5-7wjv-pqxp
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Product Github.com/containerd/containerd
Package Ecosystem Go
Published Date
Last Updated

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.

github.com/containerd/containerd fixed: 1.7.33
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd to 1.7.33
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 fixed: 2.0.10
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.0.10
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 fixed: 2.1.9
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.1.9
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 fixed: 2.2.5
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.2.5
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 fixed: 2.3.2
Upgrade github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 to 2.3.2
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

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

### Impact A 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. ### Patches This bug has been fixed in the following containerd versions: * 2.3.2 * 2.2.5 * 2.1.9 * 2.0.10 * 1.7.33 Users should update to these versions to resolve the issue. ### Workarounds Ensure that only trusted images are used. ### Credits The 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). ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [containerd](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/issues/new/choose) * Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io) To report a security issue in containerd: * [Report a new vulnerability](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/new) * Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io)

CVE-2026-53488 Affected Github.com/containerd/containerd Versions

5 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.7.332.0.102.1.92.2.52.3.2
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?
CVE-2026-53488 is a security vulnerability in Github.com/containerd/containerd involving //` logger: host-root command execution from an image pull under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection').
Which Github.com/containerd/containerd versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.7.33, 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2 across affected packages: github.com/containerd/containerd, github.com/containerd/containerd/v2.
What version fixes CVE-2026-53488?
Upgrading to 1.7.33, 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is github.com/containerd/containerd affected?
Yes, github.com/containerd/containerd is affected in releases prior to 1.7.33. Upgrade your dependency to 1.7.33 or later.
Is github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 affected?
Yes, github.com/containerd/containerd/v2 is affected in releases prior to 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.10, 2.1.9, 2.2.5, 2.3.2 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-53488?
CVE-2026-53488 is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') (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.).
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2026-53488?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for github.com/containerd/containerd'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "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",
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  } ],
  "references" : [ {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/GHSA-xhf5-7wjv-pqxp"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/containerd/containerd"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
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    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-19T19:35:31Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}