CVE-2026-32241 PUBLISHED

Flannel vulnerable to cross-node remote code execution via extension backend BackendData injection

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 11.03.2026 Published: 27.03.2026 Updated: 27.03.2026

Flannel is a network fabric for containers, designed for Kubernetes. The Flannel project includes an experimental Extension backend that allows users to easily prototype new backend types. In versions of Flannel prior to 0.28.2, this Extension backend is vulnerable to a command injection that allows an attacker who can set Kubernetes Node annotations to achieve root-level arbitrary command execution on every flannel node in the cluster. The Extension backend's SubnetAddCommand and SubnetRemoveCommand receive attacker-controlled data via stdin (from the flannel.alpha.coreos.com/backend-data Node annotation). The content of this annotation is unmarshalled and piped directly to a shell command without checks. Kubernetes clusters using Flannel with the Extension backend are affected by this vulnerability. Other backends such as vxlan and wireguard are unaffected. The vulnerability is fixed in version v0.28.2. As a workaround, use Flannel with another backend such as vxlan or wireguard.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS Score: 7.5

Product Status

Vendor flannel-io
Product flannel
Versions
  • Version < 0.28.2 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') CWE