diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..21e1bf803
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+name: Bug report
+description: Report a bug so we can fix it.
+title: "[Bug]: "
+labels: ["bug"]
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: what-happened
+    attributes:
+      label: What happened?
+      description: A clear description of the bug.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: reproduce
+    attributes:
+      label: Steps to reproduce
+      description: How can we reproduce this? Numbered steps if possible.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected behavior
+      description: What did you expect to happen instead?
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: Version / commit
+      description: Which version or commit hash are you on?
+  - type: textarea
+    id: environment
+    attributes:
+      label: Environment
+      description: OS, runtime version, anything else that might be relevant.
+  - type: textarea
+    id: logs
+    attributes:
+      label: Relevant logs
+      description: Paste any relevant log output. This is automatically rendered as code.
+      render: shell
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
index 834bad959..3978699ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ jobs:
           echo "stable=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
         fi
 
+    - name: Set lowercase image name vars
+      if: steps.ver.outputs.stable == 'true'
+      id: names
+      run: |
+        echo "owner=$(echo '${{ github.repository_owner }}' | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+        echo "repo=$(echo '${{ github.event.repository.name }}' | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
     - name: Set up Docker Buildx
       if: steps.ver.outputs.stable == 'true'
       uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
@@ -57,5 +64,5 @@ jobs:
         tags: |
           ${{ env.DOCKERHUB_ORG }}/${{ github.event.repository.name }}:${{ steps.ver.outputs.tag }}
           ${{ env.DOCKERHUB_ORG }}/${{ github.event.repository.name }}:latest
-          ghcr.io/${{ github.repository_owner }}/${{ github.event.repository.name }}:${{ steps.ver.outputs.tag }}
-          ghcr.io/${{ github.repository_owner }}/${{ github.event.repository.name }}:latest
+          ghcr.io/${{ steps.names.outputs.owner }}/${{ steps.names.outputs.repo }}:${{ steps.ver.outputs.tag }}
+          ghcr.io/${{ steps.names.outputs.owner }}/${{ steps.names.outputs.repo }}:latest
diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index e6b4899b7..0f152d278 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 # Change Log
 
+## 2.2.61 30/07/2026
+
+* Sync appliances
+* fix(import): unvalidated symlink creation in import_project
+* fix(qemu): fix addition of QEMU RNG device causes interface names to change
+* fix(qemu): remove trailing space from RNG object argument
+* fix: do not start nodes when deleting a project
+* fix: correct always-true state check in DockerVM.stop()
+
 ## 2.2.60 15/07/2026
 
 * Sync appliances
diff --git a/gns3server/appliances/armbian.gns3a b/gns3server/appliances/armbian.gns3a
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..094f2bd35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gns3server/appliances/armbian.gns3a
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+{
+    "appliance_id": "b3b90fde-143a-4129-8031-ccbba73c5e02",
+    "name": "armbian",
+    "category": "guest",
+    "description": "A highly optimized base operating system specialized for single board computers (SBCs) and its extensive build framework.",
+    "vendor_name": "The Armbian team",
+    "vendor_url": "https://armbian.com/",
+    "documentation_url": "https://docs.armbian.com/",
+    "product_name": "Armbian UEFI x86",
+    "product_url": "https://armbian.com/boards/uefi-x86",
+    "registry_version": 4,
+    "status": "stable",
+    "maintainer": "GNS3 Team",
+    "maintainer_email": "developers@gns3.net",
+    "usage": "By first login you create root password and new sudo user.\n\nBoot disk from UEFI shell, type: FS0:EFI\\BOOT\\BOOTX64 and press <Enter>",
+    "port_name_format": "Ethernet{0}",
+    "qemu": {
+        "adapter_type": "virtio-net-pci",
+        "adapters": 2,
+        "ram": 256,
+        "hda_disk_interface": "virtio",
+        "arch": "x86_64",
+        "console_type": "spice+agent",
+        "uefi": false,
+        "boot_priority": "c",
+        "kvm": "require",
+        "options": "-nographic"
+    },
+    "images": [
+        {
+            "filename": "OVMF-edk2-stable202305.fd",
+            "version": "stable202305",
+            "md5sum": "6c4cf1519fec4a4b95525d9ae562963a",
+            "filesize": 4194304,
+            "download_url": "https://sourceforge.net/projects/gns-3/files/Qemu%20Appliances/",
+            "direct_download_url": "https://sourceforge.net/projects/gns-3/files/Qemu%20Appliances/OVMF-edk2-stable202305.fd.zip/download",
+            "compression": "zip"
+        },
+        {
+            "filename": "Armbian_26.5.1_Uefi-x86_trixie_cloud_6.18.32_minimal.img.qcow2",
+            "version": "Armbian 26.5.1 Minimal (CLI)",
+            "md5sum": "7f4c915668718d6135406de5a6c4fc30",
+            "filesize": 877920512,
+            "download_url": "https://armbian.com/boards/uefi-x86",
+            "direct_download_url": "https://armbian.atomonetworks.com/dl/uefi-x86/archive/Armbian_26.5.1_Uefi-x86_trixie_cloud_6.18.32_minimal.img.qcow2.xz",
+	    "compression": "xz"
+        }
+
+    ],
+    "versions": [
+         {
+            "name": "Armbian 26.5.1 Minimal (CLI)",
+            "images": {
+                "bios_image": "OVMF-edk2-stable202305.fd",
+                "hda_disk_image": "Armbian_26.5.1_Uefi-x86_trixie_cloud_6.18.32_minimal.img.qcow2"
+            }
+        }
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/gns3server/compute/docker/docker_vm.py b/gns3server/compute/docker/docker_vm.py
index 7315dad0d..dafe3e8ee 100644
--- a/gns3server/compute/docker/docker_vm.py
+++ b/gns3server/compute/docker/docker_vm.py
@@ -1048,7 +1048,7 @@ class DockerVM(BaseNode):
                 await self._fix_permissions()
 
             state = await self._get_container_state()
-            if state != "stopped" or state != "exited":
+            if state != "stopped" and state != "exited":
                 # t=5 number of seconds to wait before killing the container
                 try:
                     await self.manager.query("POST", f"containers/{self._cid}/stop", params={"t": 5})
diff --git a/gns3server/compute/qemu/qemu_vm.py b/gns3server/compute/qemu/qemu_vm.py
index c4866fbb0..b099becb6 100644
--- a/gns3server/compute/qemu/qemu_vm.py
+++ b/gns3server/compute/qemu/qemu_vm.py
@@ -2341,7 +2341,7 @@ class QemuVM(BaseNode):
             options.extend(["-drive", "if=pflash,format=raw,file={}".format(ovmf_vars_node_path)])
 
             # edk2 firmware requires a Random Number Generator (RNG) device in order to turn network adapters on
-            options.extend(["-object", "rng-random,filename=/dev/urandom,id=rng0 "])
+            options.extend(["-object", "rng-random,filename=/dev/urandom,id=rng0"])
             options.extend(["-device", "virtio-rng-pci,rng=rng0"])
         return options
 
@@ -2665,7 +2665,6 @@ class QemuVM(BaseNode):
             elif sys.platform.startswith("darwin"):
                 command.extend(["-enable-hax"])
         command.extend(["-boot", f"order={self._boot_priority}"])
-        command.extend(self._bios_option())
         command.extend(self._cdrom_option())
         command.extend(await self._disk_options())
         command.extend(self._linux_boot_options())
@@ -2675,6 +2674,9 @@ class QemuVM(BaseNode):
         command.extend(self._aux_options())
         command.extend(self._monitor_options())
         command.extend(await self._network_options())
+        command.extend((await self._network_options()))
+        # bios options must be last to have predictable NIC numbering, see https://github.com/GNS3/gns3-server/issues/2838
+        command.extend(self._bios_option())
         if self.on_close != "save_vm_state":
             await self._clear_save_vm_stated()
         else:
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/import_project.py b/gns3server/controller/import_project.py
index 3aaec54e6..e5da5460c 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/import_project.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/import_project.py
@@ -182,24 +182,46 @@ async def import_project(
     project = await controller.load_project(dot_gns3_path, load=False)
     return project
 
+
 def _create_symbolic_links(zip_file, path):
     """
     Manually create symbolic links (if any) because ZipFile does not support it.
+    Refuse any target that escapes `path`.
 
     :param zip_file: ZipFile instance
     :param path: project location
     """
 
+    path_root = os.path.realpath(path) + os.sep
     for zip_info in zip_file.infolist():
-        if stat.S_ISLNK(zip_info.external_attr >> 16):
-            symlink_target = zip_file.read(zip_info.filename).decode()
-            symlink_path = os.path.join(path, zip_info.filename)
-            try:
-                # remove the regular file and replace it by a symbolic link
-                os.remove(symlink_path)
-                os.symlink(symlink_target, symlink_path)
-            except OSError as e:
-                raise ControllerError(f"Cannot create symbolic link: {e}")
+        if not stat.S_ISLNK(zip_info.external_attr >> 16):
+            continue
+        symlink_target = zip_file.read(zip_info.filename).decode()
+        symlink_path = os.path.join(path, zip_info.filename)
+
+        # 1. Reject absolute targets outright.
+        if os.path.isabs(symlink_target):
+            raise ControllerError(f"Symlink {zip_info.filename!r} has absolute target {symlink_target!r}, refusing")
+
+        # 2. Reject paths where the entry name itself escapes (defence in depth;
+        #    extractall normally would already have caught this).
+        member_abs = os.path.realpath(symlink_path)
+        if not (member_abs + os.sep).startswith(path_root) and member_abs + os.sep != path_root:
+            raise ControllerError(f"Symlink entry {zip_info.filename!r} escapes project dir, refusing")
+
+        # 3. Resolve the symlink target relative to the entry's own parent
+        #    directory and verify the resolved real path stays inside `path`.
+        link_dir = os.path.realpath(os.path.dirname(symlink_path))
+        resolved_target = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(link_dir, symlink_target))
+        if not (resolved_target + os.sep).startswith(path_root) and resolved_target + os.sep != path_root:
+            raise ControllerError("Symlink {zip_info.filename!r} -> {symlink_target!r} escapes project dir, refusing")
+
+        try:
+            os.remove(symlink_path)
+            os.symlink(symlink_target, symlink_path)
+        except OSError as e:
+            raise ControllerError(f"Cannot create symbolic link: {e}")
+
 
 def regenerate_topology_ids(topology, new_project_path, reset_mac_addresses=False):
     """
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/project.py b/gns3server/controller/project.py
index e6a0ffd6a..a6bcc159c 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/project.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/project.py
@@ -1434,7 +1434,7 @@ class Project:
 
         if self._status != "opened":
             try:
-                await self.open()
+                await self.open(auto_start=False)
             except ControllerError as e:
                 # ignore missing images or other conflicts when deleting a project
                 log.warning(f"Conflict while deleting project: {e}")
@@ -1524,9 +1524,12 @@ class Project:
         return os.path.join(self.path, self._filename)
 
     @locking
-    async def open(self):
+    async def open(self, auto_start=True):
         """
         Load topology elements
+
+        :param auto_start: whether the nodes may be started when the project
+            has auto start enabled
         """
 
         if self._closing is True:
@@ -1692,7 +1695,7 @@ class Project:
         self._loading = False
         self.emit_controller_notification("project.opened", self.asdict())
         # Should we start the nodes when project is open
-        if self._auto_start:
+        if self._auto_start and auto_start:
             # Start all in the background without waiting for completion
             # we ignore errors because we want to let the user open
             # their project and fix it
diff --git a/tests/compute/docker/test_docker_vm.py b/tests/compute/docker/test_docker_vm.py
index a73d1faf7..92aa661ab 100644
--- a/tests/compute/docker/test_docker_vm.py
+++ b/tests/compute/docker/test_docker_vm.py
@@ -1882,3 +1882,19 @@ async def test_memory(compute_project, manager):
                 "Cmd": ["/bin/sh"]
             })
         assert vm._cid == "e90e34656806"
+
+
+async def test_stop_exited_container_no_stop_query(vm):
+
+    vm._ubridge_hypervisor = None
+    vm._fix_permissions = MagicMock()
+
+    with asyncio_patch("gns3server.compute.docker.DockerVM._get_container_state", return_value="exited"):
+        with asyncio_patch("gns3server.compute.docker.Docker.query") as mock_query:
+            vm._permissions_fixed = False
+            await vm.stop()
+            assert not any(
+                call.args[:2] == ("POST", "containers/e90e34656842/stop")
+                for call in mock_query.mock_calls
+            )
+    assert vm.status == "stopped"
diff --git a/tests/controller/test_import_project.py b/tests/controller/test_import_project.py
index c1e976aef..1cd77dbf0 100644
--- a/tests/controller/test_import_project.py
+++ b/tests/controller/test_import_project.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import os
 import uuid
 import json
 import zipfile
+import pytest
+import aiohttp
 
 from pathlib import Path
 from tests.utils import asyncio_patch, AsyncioMagicMock
@@ -122,24 +124,49 @@ async def write_file(path, z):
             f.write(chunk)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_import_project_containing_symlink(tmpdir, controller):
+@pytest.fixture
+def export_project_with_symlink(tmpdir, controller):
+    async def _export(symlink_target):
+        project = Project(controller=controller, name="test")
+        project.dump = MagicMock()
 
-    project = Project(controller=controller, name="test")
-    project.dump = MagicMock()
-    path = project.path
+        topology = {
+            "project_id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
+            "name": "test",
+            "auto_open": True,
+            "auto_start": True,
+            "topology": {
+            },
+            "version": "2.0.0"
+        }
+
+        with open(os.path.join(project.path, "project.gns3"), 'w+') as f:
+            json.dump(topology, f)
+
+        os.makedirs(os.path.join(project.path, "vm1", "dynamips"))
+        symlink_path = os.path.join(project.path, "vm1", "dynamips", "symlink")
+        os.symlink(symlink_target, symlink_path)
+
+        zip_path = str(tmpdir / "project.zip")
+        with aiozipstream.ZipFile() as z:
+            with patch("gns3server.compute.Dynamips.get_images_directory", return_value=str(tmpdir / "IOS"),):
+                await export_project(z, project, str(tmpdir), include_images=False)
+                await write_file(zip_path, z)
+
+        return zip_path
+
+    return _export
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_import_project_containing_symlink(controller, export_project_with_symlink):
+    """
+    Test importing a project containing a valid symlink (target inside the project directory).
+    """
 
     project_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
-    os.makedirs(os.path.join(path, "vm1", "dynamips"))
-    symlink_path = os.path.join(project.path, "vm1", "dynamips", "symlink")
-    symlink_target = "/tmp/anywhere"
-    os.symlink(symlink_target, symlink_path)
-
-    zip_path = str(tmpdir / "project.zip")
-    with aiozipstream.ZipFile() as z:
-        with patch("gns3server.compute.Dynamips.get_images_directory", return_value=str(tmpdir / "IOS"),):
-            await export_project(z, project, str(tmpdir), include_images=False)
-            await write_file(zip_path, z)
+    symlink_target = "../symlink_target"
+    zip_path = await export_project_with_symlink(symlink_target)
 
     with open(zip_path, "rb") as f:
         project = await import_project(controller, project_id, f)
@@ -152,6 +179,36 @@ async def test_import_project_containing_symlink(tmpdir, controller):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_import_project_containing_absolute_symlink(controller, export_project_with_symlink):
+    """
+    Test importing a project containing an absolute symlink.
+    This should fail because absolute symlinks are not allowed for security reasons.
+    """
+
+    project_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+    symlink_target = "/tmp/anywhere"
+    zip_path = await export_project_with_symlink(symlink_target)
+
+    with pytest.raises(aiohttp.web.HTTPConflict):
+        with open(zip_path, "rb") as f:
+            await import_project(controller, project_id, f)
+
+
+async def test_import_project_containing_escaping_symlink(controller, export_project_with_symlink):
+    """
+    Test importing a project containing a symlink that escapes the project directory.
+    This should fail because symlinks that escape the project directory are not allowed for security reasons.
+    """
+
+    project_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+    symlink_target = "../../../../symlink_target"
+    zip_path = await export_project_with_symlink(symlink_target)
+
+    with pytest.raises(aiohttp.web.HTTPConflict):
+        with open(zip_path, "rb") as f:
+            await import_project(controller, project_id, f)
+
+
 async def test_import_upgrade(tmpdir, controller):
     """
     Topology made for previous GNS3 version are upgraded during the process
diff --git a/tests/controller/test_project.py b/tests/controller/test_project.py
index b0202c01f..c4a919b4a 100644
--- a/tests/controller/test_project.py
+++ b/tests/controller/test_project.py
@@ -700,6 +700,19 @@ async def test_delete(project):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_delete_does_not_start_nodes(project):
+    """
+    Deleting a project must not start its nodes, even when auto_start is enabled.
+    """
+
+    project.auto_start = True
+    project.dump()
+    await project.close()
+    project.start_all = AsyncioMagicMock()
+    await project.delete()
+    assert not project.start_all.called
+
+
 async def test_dump(projects_dir):
 
     directory = projects_dir