How severe is CVE-2026-77179?

CVE-2026-77179 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.4, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2026-77179 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (9th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-77179?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2026-77179 published?

CVE-2026-77179 was published on 2026-09-15 and last updated on 2026-09-16.

CVE-2026-77179

CVE-2026-77179 is a critical-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 4.0 base score 9.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (9th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Published: 2026-09-15
Last modified: 2026-09-16

Description

On macOS, the virtio-fs host server used by Docker Sandboxes improperly follows symlinks when reopening an unlinked file from a stored path. A malicious guest can replace a parent directory with a symlink, escape the shared workspace, and read or modify arbitrary host files as the VMM user, potentially achieving host code execution.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-77179?: On macOS, the virtio-fs host server used by Docker Sandboxes improperly follows symlinks when reopening an unlinked file from a stored path. A malicious guest can replace a parent directory with a symlink, escape the shared workspace, and read or modify arbitrary host files as the VMM user, potentially achieving host code execution.
How severe is CVE-2026-77179?: CVE-2026-77179 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.4, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2026-77179 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (9th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-77179?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-77179 published?: CVE-2026-77179 was published on 2026-09-15 and last updated on 2026-09-16.

References

Other CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following)) vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-37143 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell PowerFlex appliance versions prior to IC 46.381.00 and IC 46.376.00, Dell PowerFlex rack versions prior to RCM…
CVE-2024-28189 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application uses the UNIX chown command on an untrusted file…
CVE-2024-28185 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Judge0 is an open-source online code execution system. The application does not account for symlinks placed inside the…
CVE-2022-22995 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of…
CVE-2014-4480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Directory traversal vulnerability in afc in AppleFileConduit in Apple iOS before 8.1.3 and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows…
CVE-2002-2374 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in pprosetup in Sun PatchPro 2.0 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "unsafe use…

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