CVE-2026-33898

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 0.35%

Last modified

CVE-2026-33898 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 6.23.0, the web server spawned by `incus webui` incorrectly validates the authentication token such that an invalid value will be accepted. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 6.23.0, the web server spawned by `incus webui` incorrectly validates the authentication token such that an invalid value will be accepted. `incus webui` runs a local web server on a random localhost port. For authentication, it provides the user with a URL containing an authentication token. When accessed with that token, Incus creates a cookie persisting that token without needing to include it in subsequent HTTP requests. While the Incus client correctly validates the value of the cookie, it does not correctly validate the token when passed int the URL. This allows for an attacker able to locate and talk to the temporary web server on localhost to have as much access to Incus as the user who ran `incus webui`. This can lead to privilege escalation by another local user or an access to the user's Incus instances and possibly system resources by a remote attack able to trick the local user into interacting with the Incus UI web server. Version 6.23.0 patches the issue.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability
0.35%

26.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

VendorProductVersions
LinuxcontainersIncus< 6.23.0

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-33898?
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 6.23.0, the web server spawned by `incus webui` incorrectly validates the authentication token such that an invalid value will be accepted. `incus webui` runs a local web server on a random localhost port. For authentication, it provides the user with a URL containing an authentication token. When accessed with that token, Incus creates a cookie persisting that token without needing to include it in subsequent HTTP requests. While the Incus client correctly validates the value of the cookie, it does not correctly validate the token when passed int the URL. This allows for an attacker able to locate and talk to the temporary web server on localhost to have as much access to Incus as the user who ran `incus webui`. This can lead to privilege escalation by another local user or an access to the user's Incus instances and possibly system resources by a remote attack able to trick the local user into interacting with the Incus UI web server. Version 6.23.0 patches the issue.
How severe is CVE-2026-33898?
CVE-2026-33898 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.35% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-33898?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2026-33898?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST