Ambiguous OCI manifest parsing in github.com/containerd/containerd
Summary
GO-2022-0360: Ambiguous OCI manifest parsing in github.com/containerd/containerd. Affects github.com/containerd/containerd across 2 version ranges.
< 1.4.12
>= 1.5.0, < 1.5.8
Fixed in 1.4.12 or 1.5.8, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package under scrutiny is github.com/containerd/containerd, which is written in Go. It is a container runtime that provides a high-level API to manage containers and their lifecycle. Containerd is widely used in various container orchestration systems and platforms. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the way Containerd parses OCI (Open Container Initiative) manifests.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Containerd arises from ambiguous OCI manifest parsing. This can lead to various security issues, including potential remote code execution, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to container resources. The vulnerability affects versions 0.x, 1.4.12, 1.5.0, and 1.5.8 of Containerd.
How To Fix
Latest published version: v1.7.36 as of 22 Oct 2026
go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.7.36Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 1.4.121.4.12go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.4.12 -
>= 1.5.0, < 1.5.81.5.8go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.5.8
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update to the fixed version of Containerd to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Containerd's OCI manifest parsing poses a significant security risk, potentially leading to remote code execution and unauthorized access. It is crucial to update to the fixed version of Containerd (1.5.8 or later) to mitigate these risks and ensure the security of containerized applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for github.com/containerd/containerd →
FAQ
Containerd is a container runtime that provides a high-level API to manage containers and their lifecycle. It is widely used in container orchestration systems and platforms.
An OCI manifest is a JSON document that describes the configuration and runtime requirements of a container. It includes information such as the container image, environment variables, and execution parameters.
The vulnerability in Containerd can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to container resources. This can result in compromised containerized applications and potential data breaches.
Versions 0.x, 1.4.12, 1.5.0, and 1.5.8 of Containerd are affected by this vulnerability.
To fix the vulnerability, update Containerd to version 1.5.8 or later. This ensures that the necessary fixes for the ambiguous OCI manifest parsing issue are applied.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for github.com/containerd/containerd.
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