Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- EPSS is 3.22% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2025
CVE-2025-23266High confidence
NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in some hooks used to initialize the container, where an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions
NVIDIA · Container Toolkit
9.0CriticalCVSS 3.1
Within 7 days
Patch availableCritical technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityCritical→Operational priority:Critical, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs NVIDIA Container Toolkit and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Open-source package ranges8 source-attributed ranges
These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.
| Ecosystem and package | Affected range | First fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gogithub.com/NVIDIA/gpu-operator | SEMVER: introduced 0; fixed 25.3.2 | 25.3.2 | OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 10 Sep 2026 |
| Gogithub.com/NVIDIA/k8s-device-plugin | SEMVER: introduced 0; fixed 0.17.3 | 0.17.3 | OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 10 Sep 2026 |
| Gogithub.com/NVIDIA/mig-parted | SEMVER: introduced 0; fixed 0.12.2 | 0.12.2 | OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 10 Sep 2026 |
| Gogithub.com/NVIDIA/nvidia-container-toolkit | SEMVER: introduced 0; fixed 1.17.8 | 1.17.8 | OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 10 Sep 2026 |
| gogithub.com/NVIDIA/gpu-operator | < 25.3.2 | 25.3.2 | GitHub advisory ↗github reviewed aggregator · 23 Oct 2025 |
| gogithub.com/NVIDIA/k8s-device-plugin | < 0.17.3 | 0.17.3 | GitHub advisory ↗github reviewed aggregator · 23 Oct 2025 |
| gogithub.com/NVIDIA/mig-parted | < 0.12.2 | 0.12.2 | GitHub advisory ↗github reviewed aggregator · 23 Oct 2025 |
| gogithub.com/NVIDIA/nvidia-container-toolkit | < 1.17.8 | 1.17.8 | GitHub advisory ↗github reviewed aggregator · 23 Oct 2025 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2025-23266 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitynvidia-container-toolkit: Privilege Escalation via Hook Initialization in NVIDIA Container Toolkit
The vendor explicitly identifies these products or versions as containing the fix.
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- Summary
- A flaw was found in the NVIDIA Container Toolkit. This vulnerability allows execution of arbitrary code with elevated permissions via improperly secured container initialization hooks. This can potentially lead to privilege escalation, data tampering, information disclosure, and denial of service.
- Remediation
- For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
Critical technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Patch available01
What, why and how
NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in some hooks used to initialize the container, where an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to escalation of privileges, data tampering, information disclosure, and denial of service.
What
NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in some hooks used to initialize the container, where an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to escalation of privileges, data tampering, information disclosure, and denial of service.
Why
The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
How
An attacker operating through an adjacent network may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
What
NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in some hooks used to initialize the container, where an attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to escalation of privileges, data tampering, information disclosure, and denial of service.
Why
The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
How
An attacker operating through an adjacent network may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- an adjacent network → Untrusted Search Path → execute code or commands in the affected security context
- Attack surface
- Adjacent
- Privileges required
- Low: a basic authenticated account is required
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
- Security boundary
- Changed: exploitation can affect a different security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-426 ↗
CWE-426: Untrusted Search Path. The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVAdjacentAttack vector: The attacker must be on an adjacent or logically close network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SChangedScope: The attack can affect a component governed by a different security authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Patch available
- Fixed
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el9_6.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el9_6.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el9_6.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-0:0.2-1.el9_6.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el9_6.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el9_6.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debuginfo-0:0.2-1.el9_6.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el9_6.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el9_6.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-debugsource-0:0.2-1.el9_6.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-tests-0:0.2-1.el9_6.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-tests-0:0.2-1.el9_6.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-tests-0:0.2-1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- toolbox-tests-0:0.2-1.el9_6.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
- and 12 more
- Action
- For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 17 Jul 2025 · Last source change 26 Feb 2026, 17:50 UTC · CWE-426 · Untrusted Search Path
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2025-21811
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD not scheduled
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- NVIDIA Container Toolkit All versions up to and including 1.17.7 (CDI mode only for versions prior to 1.17.5); NVIDIA GPU Operator All versions up to and including 25.3.0 (CDI mode only for versions prior to 25.3.0) · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
- After
- NVIDIA Container Toolkit All versions up to and including 1.17.7 (CDI mode only for versions prior to 1.17.5); NVIDIA GPU Operator All versions up to and including 25.3.0 (CDI mode only for versions prior to 25.3.0) · Fixed: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
- Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- Awaiting fix
- After
- Patch available
CVE published
Fixed release recorded from official guidance
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.