CVE-2026-66898: canonical lxd Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-66898 is a critical (CVSS 9.9) Path Traversal vulnerability in canonical lxd. EPSS estimates a 0.59% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 47.1% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 12-08-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 13-08-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A path traversal vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to manipulate file system paths during backup import and restore operations. When importing or restoring a backup archive, LXD fails to validate instance and storage volume names contained within the archive metadata. An attacker can exploit this flaw by supplying a crafted backup archive with malicious instance or volume names containing path traversal sequences, potentially allowing file access or overwriting outside the designated restore directory.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.