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CriticalVulnerabilityCVE-2026-115375updated 25 Oct 2026, 16:35 UTC

Incus: crafted backup import can write files outside allowed folders on the host

Someone who is allowed to create virtual machines or containers can craft a backup file that tricks Incus into writing files anywhere on the server, including places only administrators should touch. This can lead to the attacker taking ful

Fixed in Incus 7.0.2 and 7.5.0 or laterOfficial, 2 sources
SeverityCriticalCVSS 9.4 of 10
Being exploited?UnclearNo reports either way yet
Fix available?YesIncus 7.0.2 and 7.5.0 or later · since 25 Oct 2026
How sure is this?Official, 2 sourcesBacked by an official source

How the attack works simplified

  1. 1Authorized clientHas permission to create instances
  2. 2Crafted backupindex.yaml contains ../ sequences in volume names
  3. 3Incus imports backupVolume names are not validated
  4. 4Files written outside pathRoot-owned directories with controlled content
  5. ResultAttacker gains full control of the host

What happened

Incus 7.0.0 before 7.0.2 and 7.1.0 before 7.5.0 do not validate dependent custom volume names in instance backup index.yaml files, allowing ../ path traversal when importing a crafted backup. This lets an instance-creating client create root-owned directories with controlled content on the host.

Why it is dangerous: A successful attacker can create root-owned files and directories on the host, which leads to full host compromise. Anyone running Incus that lets other users create instances or import backups is at risk.

Are you affected?

You are affected if you run Incus 7.0.0 before 7.0.2 or Incus 7.1.0 before 7.5.0, and some users can create instances or import instance backups.

Incus 7.0.0 to before 7.0.2; Incus 7.1.0 to before 7.5.0

What to do

  1. Update Incus to 7.0.2 or 7.5.0 or later
  2. Until updated, restrict who can create instances or import instance backups
  3. Review recently imported backups and any unexpected root-owned files on the host

Timeline

  1. 22 Oct 2026, 19:17 UTC
    Publicly disclosed
  2. 22 Oct 2026, 19:17 UTC
    Reported by NVD · NVD
  3. 25 Oct 2026, 16:35 UTC
    GitHub Advisory reported on it · GitHub Advisory
  4. 25 Oct 2026, 16:35 UTC
    Fix: Incus 7.0.2 and 7.5.0 or later

Sources 2 reports, oldest first

Official vendor, government CERT or advisory database

Technical details

ID
CVE-2026-115375 · GHSA-f963-f2v2-v6x5
CVSS
9.4 / 10
EPSS
0.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days
Disclosed
22 Oct 2026, 19:17 UTC
On Zero Radar
before the radar started
Last change
25 Oct 2026, 16:35 UTC

The plain-language parts and the attack diagram were written by an AI model (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5) from the sources above. Facts like versions, exploitation and dates come from the sources themselves. How Zero Radar works

Incus: crafted backup import can write files outside allowed folders on the host · Zero Radar