---
title: "CVE-2026-48749: Incus has an arbitrary file read+write on host via rootfs/ symlink in malicious image"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-48749/
description: "CVE-2026-48749 (github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd (Go)): Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, a specially…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-08-21
date_modified: 2026-08-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-48749"
kev: false
cvss: 9.9
epss: 0.00731
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-48749: Incus has an arbitrary file read+write on host via rootfs/ symlink in malicious image

**Signal:** Critical, preconditions apply. Severe if exploited, but exploitation needs conditions that may not apply to you. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Not in CISA KEV , but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
- EPSS 0.7% , percentile 54: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.7% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 54% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd (Go) < 7.2.0, fixed in 7.2.0 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, a specially crafted image can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. Version 7.2.0 fixes the issue.

## Affected packages

- Go `github.com/lxc/incus/v7/cmd/incusd` < 7.2.0 → fixed: 7.2.0

## Affected products (CVE record)

- lxc incus: < 7.2.0

## Severity

- GitHub_M CVSS 3.1: 9.9 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- GitHub CVSS 3.1: 9.9 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.73% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 54.

## Sources

- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-2q3f-q5pq-g8wv](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2q3f-q5pq-g8wv)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-48749](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-48749)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-48749](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48749)
- [github.com](https://github.com/lxc/incus/security/advisories/GHSA-2q3f-q5pq-g8wv)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-48749/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt