CVE-2026-48785

Apptainer: Incorrect path matching for 'limit container paths' directive

Published Sep 15, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.8 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Apptainer is an open source container platform. Prior to version 1.5.1, Image.AuthorizedPath applies plain string-prefix matching to the limit container paths directive in apptainer.conf, so an allowed path such as /data/safe also authorizes a sibling path such as /data/safe-but-unsafe. A local user can consequently run a container from a directory outside the administrator's intended allowlist when Apptainer operates in setuid mode. Installations that do not use setuid mode or do not configure limit container paths are not affected, and unrestricted user namespaces already allow users to run containers of their choice. This issue is fixed in version 1.5.1.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-cr2j-534f-mf3g Apptainer has incorrect path matching for 'limit container paths' directive
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apptainer
Apptainer apptainer
Vendors & Products Apptainer
Apptainer apptainer
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 Apptainer is an open source container platform. Prior to version 1.5.1, Image.AuthorizedPath applies plain string-prefix matching to the limit container paths directive in apptainer.conf, so an allowed path such as /data/safe also authorizes a sibling path such as /data/safe-but-unsafe. A local user can consequently run a container from a directory outside the administrator's intended allowlist when Apptainer operates in setuid mode. Installations that do not use setuid mode or do not configure limit container paths are not affected, and unrestricted user namespaces already allow users to run containers of their choice. This issue is fixed in version 1.5.1.
Title Apptainer: Incorrect path matching for 'limit container paths' directive
Weaknesses CWE-22
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Sep 15, 2026, 5:38 PM
Reserved
May 22, 2026, 8:18 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 15, 2026, 6:17 PM
Modified
Sep 25, 2026, 2:10 PM