Prior to version 7.3.0, a malicious image containing a metadata.yaml symlink pointing to an arbitrary host path allows an authenticated Incus user… (CVE-2026-63343)
Description
Incus versions prior to 7.3.0 contain a vulnerability where a malicious image with a metadata.yaml symlink can allow an authenticated user to read or overwrite any host file as root via the instance metadata API. Previous patches addressed similar issues with other paths but did not cover metadata.yaml. Version 7.3.0 includes a fix for this vulnerability.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.9critical
Affected software
pkg:deb/ubuntu/incus?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/noblepkg:deb/ubuntu/incus?arch=source&distro=stonkingpkg:deb/ubuntu/incus?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/resoluteRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Incus, a system container and virtual machine manager, has a vulnerability (CVE-2026-63343) in versions before 7.3.0 where a malicious image containing a metadata.yaml symlink pointing to an arbitrary host path allows an authenticated user to read or overwrite any file on the host with root privileges through the instance metadata API. While prior patches mitigated similar symlink attacks on exec-output and templates/ paths using Lstat rejection and os.OpenRoot confinement, metadata.yaml was not included in these mitigations. The issue is resolved in version 7.3.0.
Potential Impact
An authenticated Incus user can exploit this vulnerability to read or overwrite any file on the host system as root, potentially leading to full system compromise. This elevates the risk of unauthorized data access and system integrity breaches.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Incus to version 7.3.0 or later, where this vulnerability is patched. No other mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- UBUNTU-CVE-2026-63343
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.0
- Ecosystems
- ["Ubuntu:Pro:24.04:LTS","Ubuntu:26.10","Ubuntu:Pro:26.04:LTS"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ad3f5be2cdf04f65666286c
Added to database: 10/17/2026, 22:25:02 UTC
Last enriched: 10/18/2026, 00:14:35 UTC
Last updated: 10/18/2026, 00:14:35 UTC
Views: 2
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