CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-27561NVD status: Modified

Runc: Use of Incorrectly-Resolved Name or Reference

CVE-2023-27561 is a high-severity use of incorrectly-resolved name or reference vulnerability in Runc from Linux Foundation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.1.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating Runc to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Runc to 1.1.5 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Linux FoundationRuncbefore 1.1.51.1.5
Red HatOpenshift Container Platform4.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux8.0; 9.0Not stated
DebianDebian Linux10.0Not stated

Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.0HighNVD
CVSS 3.17.0HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

runc through 1.1.4 has Incorrect Access Control leading to Escalation of Privileges, related to libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go. To exploit this, an attacker must be able to spawn two containers with custom volume-mount configurations, and be able to run custom images. NOTE: this issue exists because of a CVE-2019-19921 regression.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Incorrectly-Resolved Name or Reference

The product uses a name or reference to access a resource, but the name/reference resolves to a resource that is outside of the intended control sphere.

More Use of Incorrectly-Resolved Name or Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-706)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Recent Use of Incorrectly-Resolved Name or Reference vulnerabilities

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