CVE-2026-95838: containerd · Unpack DoS via repeated opaque whiteouts
Affects github.com/containerd/containerd/v2Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 4.6 Medium : upgrade to 2.0.12 when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2.0.12, 1.7.35, 2.2.8 +1
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Oct 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Gogithub.com/containerd/containerd/v2 | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Gogithub.com/containerd/containerd | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Gogithub.com/containerd/containerd/v2 | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Gogithub.com/containerd/containerd/v2 | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
### Impact A vulnerability exists in containerd's layer unpack handler where the processing of certain image layers causes superlinear time complexity. During the unpack operation, specific file configurations within the layer can trigger repeated directory traversals. Consequently, pulling or importing a maliciously crafted image can result in increased unpack times and a moderate increase in CPU usage. This delays container startup, even if the compressed image layers are small. Additionally, in orchestrators like Kubernetes that apply concurrency limits to image pulls, these excessively long operations can reduce the available concurrency for other pulls, potentially delaying unrelated container deployments. ### Patches This bug has been fixed in containerd 2.3.5, 2.2.8, 2.0.12, and 1.7.35. Users should update to these versions to resolve the issue. ### Workarounds There are no known workarounds for this issue. Users are advised to only pull and import trusted images from known registries until the patch can be applied. ### Credits The containerd project would like to thank Jakub Ciolek of AlphaSense for 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)
References
- github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/GHSA-rp3h-jf77-q9p4 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-95838 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/containerd/containerd/commit/e6ca378dcfa610d06589a3ac96aa992de866e4f0 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/containerd/containerd (opens in a new tab)