CVE-2026-95838
containerd: Unpack DoS via repeated opaque whiteouts
Published Oct 15, 2026 · updated Oct 15, 2026
### 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](https://github.com/containerd/project/blob/main/SECURITY.md). ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [containerd](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/issues/new/choose) * Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io) To report a security issue in containerd: * [Report a new vulnerability](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/new) * Email us at [security@containerd.io](mailto:security@containerd.io)
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Oct 15, 2026 · GitHub Advisory Database
Detected
### 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
Oct 15, 2026 · GitHub Advisory Database
Updated
### 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
Affected
- go github.com/containerd/containerd< 1.7.35
- go github.com/containerd/containerd<1.7.35
- go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2< 2.0.12
- go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.8
- go github.com/containerd/containerd/v2>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.5
- golang github.comversion unspecified
Sources
- CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-95838
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - GitHub Advisory DatabasePackage advisoryGHSA-rp3h-jf77-q9p4
containerd: Unpack DoS via repeated opaque whiteouts
github.com - GitLab Advisory DatabasePackage advisoryCVE-2026-95838
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. Thi
advisories.gitlab.com - GitLab Advisory DatabasePackage advisorygo/github.com/containerd/containerd/CVE-2026-95838.yml
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.\n\nConsequently, pulling or importing a maliciously crafted + image can result in increased unpack times and a moderate increase in CPU
gitlab.com