GitHub Advisoryadvisory · Go
GHSA-cr2j-534f-mf3g Apptainer has incorrect path matching for 'limit container paths' directive
MEDIUM
Official page ↗
- Aliases
- CVE-2026-48785
- Ecosystem
- Go
- Packages
- github.com/apptainer/apptainer
- Severity
- Moderate
- CVSS vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
- Weaknesses
- CWE-22
- Reviewed
- 2026-06-26
Affected packages
• Go github.com/apptainer/apptainer: < 1.5.1 → fixed in 1.5.1
Description
Impact
The `limit container paths directive` in `apptainer.conf` is intended to allow a system administrator limit the paths from which containers can be run, under setuid mode. Due to incorrect matching of a path string, sibling directories with similar names may incorrectly be allowed.
For example, the configuration:
```
limit container paths = /data/safe
```
Will also allow containers in /data/safe-but-unsafe to be run.
Patches
The issue is patched in apptainer version 1.5.1.
Workarounds
If developers do not use setuid mode or do not use the `limit container paths` functionality, then this issue does not affect their installation. Note that, as documented [1], if user namespaces are allowed for unrestricted use then this functionality does not stop users from running any container of their choice.
If developers do use the `limit container paths` functionality they are advised to update.
Credit
This vulnerability was discovered and disclosed to the Apptainer project by Dave Trudgian of Sylabs.
Resources
[1] https://apptainer.org/docs/admin/latest/configfiles.html#limiting-container-execution
Related
Alias · CVE (1)
- CVE-2026-48785 Apptainer is an open source container platform. vulnerability
Weakness · CWE (1)
- CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory weakness