CVE-2026-44881 Details
Description
Portainer Community Edition is a lightweight service delivery platform for containerized applications that can be used to manage Docker, Swarm, Kubernetes and ACI environments. From 2.33.0 to before 2.33.8, 2.39.2, and 2.41.0, Portainer supports deploying stacks from Git repositories. When a Git-backed stack is created or updated, Portainer clones the repository using go-git v5, which translates Git blob entries with mode 0o120000 (symlink) into real OS symlinks on the host filesystem via os.Symlink. The only entry blocked from becoming a symlink is .gitmodules; every other path is created as a symlink without validation. Portainer's GET /api/stacks/{id}/file endpoint then reads the stack entry point with os.ReadFile, which follows OS symlinks transparently. A repository containing docker-compose.yml as a symlink to an arbitrary filesystem path causes the symlink target's contents to be returned verbatim in the HTTP response. Any authenticated user with rights to create or update a Git-backed stack — the default configuration in Portainer CE — can read arbitrary files accessible to the Portainer process. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.33.8, 2.39.2, and 2.41.0.
A vulnerability in Portainer Community Edition versions 2.33.0 prior to 2.33.8, 2.39.0 prior to 2.39.2, and 2.40.0 prior to 2.41.0 allows for arbitrary file read through Git symlink injection. When a stack is deployed from a Git repository, Portainer clones the repository and translates Git symlink entries into real operating system symlinks on the host filesystem. This process, managed by 'go-git' v5, lacks proper validation, except for '.gitmodules', allowing other paths, including 'docker-compose.yml', to be created as symlinks. Portainer's API then reads the stack entry point through these symlinks, enabling access to arbitrary files readable by the Portainer process, which typically runs as root. This vulnerability can be exploited by any authenticated user with permission to manage Git-backed stacks, a default setting in Portainer CE.
Users can upgrade to Portainer versions 2.33.8, 2.39.2, or 2.41.0. For those unable to upgrade immediately, it is advised to restrict the ability to create Git-backed stacks, avoid untrusted repositories, disable auto-update on existing stacks, and audit current stack working directories for unexpected symlink entries.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed May 29, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://github.com/portainer/portainer/security/advisories/GHSA-rpgq-m5fp-32wr | [email protected] | ExploitThird Party Advisory |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-200 | Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor | [email protected] |
| CWE-59 | Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| portainer portainer | >= 2.33.0, < 2.33.8 >= 2.34.0, < 2.39.2 2.40.0 |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
5 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 2026 | CVE Translated | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jun 1, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| May 28, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |