CVE-2024-9486: A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-9486?

image builder: upgrade to 0.1.38. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-9486 being exploited?

CVE-2024-9486 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2024-9486 affect?

CVE-2024-9486 affects image builder. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials are enabled during the image build process. Virtual machine images built using the Proxmox provider do not disable these default c

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-9486?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2024-9486 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting image builder. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials are enabled during the image build process. Virtual machine images built using the Proxmox provider do not disable these default credentials, and nodes using the resulting images may be accessible via these default credentials. The credentials can be used to gain root access. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if their nodes use VM ima

Why this priority

Critical severity
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-798
Published	2024-10-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Kubernetes · Vendor: kubernetes-sigs

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-10-15 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kubernetes-sigs image builder UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.1.38

Fixed in: 0.1.38

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy image-builder || rpm -q image-builder || image-builder --version

2. UPGRADE to 0.1.38 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade image-builder

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade image-builder

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Exact fixes by distribution

Go · github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder · FIXED · 0.1.38 · vulnerable: < 0.1.38 · source

go get github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder@v0.1.38 go list -m github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder

Fedora 46 · noctalia · FIXED · 5.4.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-a4755e8ef7 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-a4755e8ef7

Fedora ELN · efifs · FIXED · 1.13-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-3fd0bb7307 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-3fd0bb7307

Ubuntu 20.04 · kubernetes · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 22.04 · kubernetes · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.04 · kubernetes · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.10 · kubernetes · NOT AFFECTED

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-9486?

image builder: upgrade to 0.1.38. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-9486 being exploited?

CVE-2024-9486 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-9486 affect?

CVE-2024-9486 affects image builder. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials are enabled during the image build process. Virtual machine images built using the Proxmox provider do not disable these default c

How urgent is CVE-2024-9486?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Kubernetes vulnerabilities · Proxmox vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-9594 MEDIUM 6.3 UPGRADE A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials

References

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