CVE-2026-13201

Kubevirt: virt-handler-rhel9: kubevirt: safepath symlink following in virt-handler enables notify socket hijacking and node-level vm disruption

Published Jun 24, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.3 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package used by virt-handler. The OpenAtNoFollow function uses O_PATH|O_NOFOLLOW to obtain a file descriptor to a path leaf, but downstream operations resolve the path via /proc/self/fd/N using link-following syscalls. When the leaf is a symlink, the kernel dereferences it, defeating the intended no-follow protection. An attacker with access to a virt-launcher pod can exploit this to redirect virt-handler's IPC socket connections, including the notify socket used for VM domain lifecycle events. By hijacking this socket, the attacker can inject arbitrary domain events into virt-handler, causing it to take incorrect lifecycle actions, corrupt VM state in the Kubernetes API, or crash — resulting in sustained denial of VM management services for all virtual machines on the affected node. Additionally, the same symlink following flaw allows virt-handler to apply file ownership or permission changes to unintended host paths.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

The following measures reduce the attacker pool and limit secondary impact: Review RBAC policies to restrict pods/exec permissions on virt-launcher pods to only those users who strictly require it. This reduces the number of identities that can place symlinks in the launcher filesystem. Ensure SELinux is in enforcing mode (default in OpenShift). While SELinux does not prevent the notify socket hijacking path, it restricts the set of host files targetable through the chown/chmod path by blocking operations on files with protected security labels. RHCOS immutable filesystem layers prevent modification of core OS files through the chown/chmod path. Note: no mitigation currently addresses the notify socket hijacking vector. The attacker's ability to inject domain events into virt-handler is not constrained by SELinux or filesystem immutability.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4 cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.12::el8
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.13::el9
cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.16::el9
cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.18::el9
cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.20::el9
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.15::el9
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.19::el9
cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.21::el9
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.14::el9
cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.17::el9
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4.22::el9
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Kubevirt
Kubevirt kubevirt
Redhat openshift Virtualization
Vendors & Products Kubevirt
Kubevirt kubevirt
Redhat openshift Virtualization
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package. The OpenAtNoFollow function uses O_PATH|O_NOFOLLOW to obtain a file descriptor to a path leaf, but downstream helpers operate via /proc/self/fd/N using link-following syscalls. When the leaf is a symlink, the kernel dereferences it, defeating the intended no-follow protection. An attacker with access to a virt-launcher pod can exploit this to cause virt-handler to apply file ownership or permission changes to an unintended host path. A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package used by virt-handler. The OpenAtNoFollow function uses O_PATH|O_NOFOLLOW to obtain a file descriptor to a path leaf, but downstream operations resolve the path via /proc/self/fd/N using link-following syscalls. When the leaf is a symlink, the kernel dereferences it, defeating the intended no-follow protection. An attacker with access to a virt-launcher pod can exploit this to redirect virt-handler's IPC socket connections, including the notify socket used for VM domain lifecycle events. By hijacking this socket, the attacker can inject arbitrary domain events into virt-handler, causing it to take incorrect lifecycle actions, corrupt VM state in the Kubernetes API, or crash — resulting in sustained denial of VM management services for all virtual machines on the affected node. Additionally, the same symlink following flaw allows virt-handler to apply file ownership or permission changes to unintended host paths.
Title Kubevirt: virt-handler-rhel9: kubevirt: safepath openatnofollow symlink following via /proc/self/fd allows host file metadata modification Kubevirt: virt-handler-rhel9: kubevirt: safepath symlink following in virt-handler enables notify socket hijacking and node-level vm disruption
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package. The OpenAtNoFollow function uses O_PATH|O_NOFOLLOW to obtain a file descriptor to a path leaf, but downstream helpers operate via /proc/self/fd/N using link-following syscalls. When the leaf is a symlink, the kernel dereferences it, defeating the intended no-follow protection. An attacker with access to a virt-launcher pod can exploit this to cause virt-handler to apply file ownership or permission changes to an unintended host path.
Title Kubevirt: virt-handler-rhel9: kubevirt: safepath openatnofollow symlink following via /proc/self/fd allows host file metadata modification
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat container Native Virtualization
Weaknesses CWE-61
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:container_native_virtualization:4
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat container Native Virtualization
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Oct 12, 2026, 8:47 PM
Reserved
Jun 24, 2026, 1:58 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Jun 24, 2026, 9:16 PM
Modified
Oct 25, 2026, 10:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jun 24, 2026, 12:00 AM