# CVE-2026-63294: A link following vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve root command execution on the host system. During…

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-63294-a-link-following-vulnerability-in-lxd-allows-an-attacker-to  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-12  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-63294 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.9 · Published 2026-08-12

A link following vulnerability in LXD allows an attacker to achieve root command execution on the host system. During the import or unpacking of crafted image or backup archives, LXD fails to properly validate and confine the backup.yaml file when it exists as a symbolic link. An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a malicious archive with a symlinked backup.yaml file, causing LXD to process unconfined configuration metadata and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

Technologies: [Canonical LXD](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/lxd). Vendors: [Canonical](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/canonical).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-63294 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-63294 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-63294?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 12 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Canonical LXD. The advisory does not name versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-63294?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-63294?** Check whether you run Canonical LXD. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Canonical LXD

## Related threats

- [LXD project restriction bypass in instance copy](https://junglewise.ai/threats/lxd-has-project-restriction-bypass-in-instance-copy-across-projects-48d466e0)
- [Canonical LXD improper certificate validation in HTTPS listener](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112816-improper-certificate-validation-in-the-https-listener-in)
- [Canonical LXD custom storage volume authorization bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97335-incorrect-authorization-in-the-custom-storage-volume-creation)
- [Canonical LXD arbitrary file write via symlink in migration stream](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87799-improper-link-resolution-in-the-migration-receive-path-in)
- [Canonical LXD improper symlink resolution in recursive file pull](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87798-improper-link-resolution-in-the-recursive-file-pull-feature-of)