CVE-2026-64676: Kata Containers: Unauthorized mem-agent ttRPC methods let an untrusted host tamper with confidential-guest memory
Kata Containers is an open source implementation of lightweight Virtual Machines (VMs) that perform like containers. In versions prior to 4.0.0, the kata-agent is vulnerable to an authorization bypass in confidential-guest memory management. In Confidential Containers (CoCo) deployments, the kata-agent enforces an OPA/Rego-based AgentPolicy that must authorize every ttRPC API call, forming the security boundary that prevents an untrusted host from directing the confidential guest. Two ttRPC methods introduced with the mem-agent feature are missing this authorization check, so an untrusted host can invoke them unconditionally regardless of the guest's policy configuration. When mem-agent is enabled (off by default), this lets the host tamper with in-guest memory management by forcing swap, aggressive eviction, or compaction, resulting in attacker-controlled availability and performance degradation of the confidential workload entirely outside the agent-policy boundary. The impact does not include memory disclosure or code execution, and severity is bounded by the precondition that mem-agent must be explicitly enabled. This issue is fixed in version 4.0.0.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Kata Containers (kata-agent / confidential-guest memory management via mem-agent)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.0.0
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-64676?
CVE-2026-64676 has a medium severity rating of 5.7.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64676?
To mitigate CVE-2026-64676, upgrade Kata Containers to version 4.0.0 or later.
What type of vulnerability is found in CVE-2026-64676?
CVE-2026-64676 represents an authorization bypass vulnerability in the kata-agent.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-64676?
Users of Kata Containers versions prior to 4.0.0, particularly in Confidential Containers deployments, are affected by CVE-2026-64676.
What does CVE-2026-64676 affect in Kata Containers?
CVE-2026-64676 allows an untrusted host to tamper with confidential-guest memory through unauthorized mem-agent ttRPC methods.