All vulnerabilities
CVE-2026-53493GHSA-pg57-6jwg-q645GO-2026-6597

github.com/containerd/containerd/v2: Containerd has image-pull DoS via crafted OCI index graph amplification

containerd github.com/containerd/containerd/v2goContainers & cloud
Open in ThreatlineRecord JSON
CVSS
6.9Medium
ExploitationNo known exploitationNot in CISA KEV, which does not prove it is unexploitedCISA KEV
Exploit odds (EPSS)0.36%Chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 28% of CVEs. Scored 23 Oct 2026FIRST EPSS
Fixed in2.0.13Also 1.7.36, 2.2.9 and 2 moreGitHub
Published25 Sep 2026Updated 7 Oct 2026CVE List

What fixes it

  • 2.0.13github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, goGitHubgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.0.13
  • 1.7.36github.com/containerd/containerd, goGitHubgo get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.7.36
  • 2.2.9github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, goGitHubgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.2.9
  • 2.3.6github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, goGitHubgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.3.6
  • 2.4.1github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, goGitHubgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.4.1
  • 2.0.13github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, GoOSVgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.0.13
Show all 10 fixed versions
  • 1.7.36github.com/containerd/containerd, GoOSVgo get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.7.36
  • 2.2.9github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, GoOSVgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.2.9
  • 2.3.6github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, GoOSVgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.3.6
  • 2.4.1github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, GoOSVgo get github.com/containerd/containerd/v2@v2.4.1

A fixed version on one release line is not the upgrade target for every line. Check your exact version and any vendor backports.

Description

Impact

A vulnerability exists in containerd's image pull handlers where a crafted OCI image index containing deeply nested or heavily fanned-out descriptor graphs can cause unbounded CPU and memory consumption. During the PullImage operation, the recursive traversal and processing of child descriptors lack sufficient depth and breadth limits, and fail to adequately deduplicate identical descriptors. This unbounded traversal leads to excessive resource allocation.

Consequently, pulling a malicious image reference can result in prolonged stalls during container creation and significant resource pressure on the host system. This issue occurs entirely during the image pull phase, prior to any container execution.

Patches

This bug has been fixed in containerd 2.4.1, 2.3.6, 2.2.9, 2.0.13, and 1.7.36. 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 trusted images from known registries until the patch can be applied.

Credits

The containerd project would like to thank Jakub Ciolek at ElevenLabs and @jlgore who independently discovered and responsibly disclosed 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 [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io)

To report a security issue in containerd:

Text from GitHub Advisory Database

Affected versions 17

  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, go>= 2.0.0, < 2.0.13GitHub
  • github.com/containerd/containerd, go<= 1.7.35GitHub
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, go>= 2.1.0, < 2.2.9GitHub
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, go>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.6GitHub
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, go= 2.4.0GitHub
  • containerdaffected: >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.13CVE List
  • containerdaffected: < 1.7.36CVE List
  • containerdaffected: >= 2.1.0, < 2.2.9CVE List
  • containerdaffected: >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.6CVE List
  • containerdaffected: = 2.4.0CVE List
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, go>= 2.0.0 < 2.0.13, >= 2.1.0 < 2.2.9, >= 2.3.0 < 2.3.6, 2.4.0GitHub
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, Gofrom 2.0.0, fixed in 2.0.13OSV
  • github.com/containerd/containerd, Gofrom first release, fixed in 1.7.36OSV
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, Gofrom 2.1.0, fixed in 2.2.9OSV
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, Gofrom 2.3.0, fixed in 2.3.6OSV
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, Gofrom 2.4.0, fixed in 2.4.1OSV
  • github.com/containerd/containerd/v2, Go2.4.0OSV

References 10