CVE-2026-13218

Kubevirt: kubevirt: symlink following in writetocachedfile allows host file overwrite from virt-launcher

MEDIUM
4.2
CVSS Score
Published: June 25, 2026 at 11:23 PM UTC
Updated: October 25, 2026 at 10:10 PM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsOpenShift VirtualizationKubevirt

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Severity
MEDIUM4.2
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.1%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

A flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-handler network cache handling. The WriteToCachedFile function writes data to a launcher-rooted path using os.WriteFile and os.Chown without symlink protection. A user with access to the virt-launcher container can plant a symlink at the cache file path, causing virt-handler to follow it and overwrite an arbitrary host file with JSON content and change its ownership.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

All versions
4 ≤ v ≤ 4.22.0

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

References (2)

VDB Entryx_refsource_REDHATVendor AdvisoryMitigation
Source: cverecord
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-13218
Issue Trackingx_refsource_REDHATVendor Advisory
Source: cverecord
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2492654

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

4.2MEDIUMredhat
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
HIGH
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
CHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
LOW
Availability
LOW
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
CWE-61

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