GitHub Advisoryadvisory · Go

GHSA-rp3h-jf77-q9p4 containerd: Unpack DoS via repeated opaque whiteouts

MEDIUM Published 2026-10-15 Modified 2026-10-15 Official page ↗
Aliases
CVE-2026-95838
Ecosystem
Go
Packages
github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, github.com/containerd/containerd
Severity
Moderate
CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Weaknesses
CWE-400, CWE-407
Reviewed
2026-10-15

Affected packages

• Go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2: < 2.0.12 → fixed in 2.0.12 • Go github.com/containerd/containerd: < 1.7.35 → fixed in 1.7.35 • Go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2: >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.8 → fixed in 2.2.8 • Go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2: >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.5 → fixed in 2.3.5

Description

Impact A vulnerability exists in containerd's layer unpack handler where the processing of certain image layers causes superlinear time complexity. During the unpack operation, specific file configurations within the layer can trigger repeated directory traversals. Consequently, pulling or importing a maliciously crafted image can result in increased unpack times and a moderate increase in CPU usage. This delays container startup, even if the compressed image layers are small. Additionally, in orchestrators like Kubernetes that apply concurrency limits to image pulls, these excessively long operations can reduce the available concurrency for other pulls, potentially delaying unrelated container deployments. Patches This bug has been fixed in containerd 2.3.5, 2.2.8, 2.0.12, and 1.7.35. Users should update to these versions to resolve the issue. Workarounds There are no known workarounds for this issue. Users are advised to only pull and import trusted images from known registries until the patch can be applied. Credits The containerd project would like to thank Jakub Ciolek of AlphaSense for responsibly disclosing this issue in accordance with the containerd security policy. For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: • Open an issue in containerd • Email us at [email protected] To report a security issue in containerd: • Report a new vulnerability • Email us at [email protected]

Related

Alias · CVE (1)

  • CVE-2026-95838 containerd is an open-source container runtime. vulnerability

Weakness · CWE (2)

  • CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption weakness
  • CWE-407 Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity weakness

References