CVE-2026-13201: A flaw was found in KubeVirt's safepath package used by virt-handler

Routine

HIGH 7.3WATCHLISTMITIGATEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-13201 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.3) affecting kubevirt, openshift virtualization. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.3 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 77%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-61
Published	2026-06-24
Last modified	2026-10-25

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: kubevirt · redhat

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-24 21:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kubevirt kubevirt MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kubevirt || rpm -q kubevirt || kubevirt --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

redhat openshift virtualization UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4 and <= 4.22.0

Fixed in: newer than 4.22.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openshift-virtualization || rpm -q openshift-virtualization || openshift-virtualization --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.22.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade openshift-virtualization

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade openshift-virtualization

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openshift-virtualization sudo apt install openshift-virtualization=<VERSION_BEFORE_4> sudo apt-mark hold openshift-virtualization

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openshift-virtualization sudo dnf downgrade openshift-virtualization-<VERSION_BEFORE_4> sudo dnf versionlock add openshift-virtualization

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2026-13201?

kubevirt: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; openshift virtualization: upgrade to newer than 4.22.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-13201 being exploited?

CVE-2026-13201 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-2026-13201 affect?

CVE-2026-13201 affects kubevirt, openshift virtualization. Severity is high (CVSS 7.3). 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-f

How urgent is CVE-2026-13201?

Priority 36/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Red Hat OpenShift vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-13318 MEDIUM 6.4 MITIGATE UPGRADE A server-side request forgery (SSRF) flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-api port-forward handler
CVE-2026-13208 MEDIUM 6.5 MITIGATE UPGRADE A flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-handler domain notify server
CVE-2026-13218 MEDIUM 4.2 MITIGATE UPGRADE A flaw was found in KubeVirt's virt-handler network cache handling
CVE-2026-13322 LOW 3.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in KubeVirt's downward metrics virtio-serial server
CVE-2026-13434 MEDIUM 4.9 MITIGATE UPGRADE A flaw was found in KubeVirt's network annotation generator

References

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