CVE-2026-20613: Apple Container · Path Traversal
Affects Apple ContainerSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High : upgrade to 0.8.0 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 19% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 0.8.0
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Jan 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 apple/container to 0.8.0.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| AppleContainer | Affected
| Fixed in– |
| AppleContainerization | Affected
| Fixed in– |
GitHubapple/containerpkg:github/apple/containerOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
European organizations should immediately verify their use of Apple Container versions and upgrade to container 0.8.0 or containerization 0.21.0 or later where the vulnerability is patched. Restrict the use of cctl image load and container image load commands to trusted users and environments only. Implement strict controls and validation on container images before loading, including scanning for malicious pathnames or archive contents. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous file writes or suspicious container activity. Educate users on the risks of loading untrusted container images and enforce policies to prevent execution of unverified archives. Consider deploying application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries placed via this vulnerability. Monitor system logs and file integrity for unexpected changes in user-writable directories. In environments where patching is delayed, consider isolating Apple Container usage to limited, non-critical systems to reduce risk exposure.
Description
CVE-2026-20613 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apple's Container product affecting the ArchiveReader.extractContents() function used by cctl image load and container image load. The function fails to validate pathnames before extracting archive members, allowing maliciously crafted archives to write files to arbitrary user-writable locations via relative pathnames. This can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction but no privileges. The issue is addressed in container 0.8.0 and containerization 0.21.0.