runc: Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere
CVE-2024-21626 is a high-severity exposure of resource to wrong sphere vulnerability in runc from Opencontainers, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected runc versions: >=v1.0.0-rc93, < 1.1.12. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 18.9% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.66% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Check which version of runc you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 4 further products are omitted here. 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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA |
Official description
runc is a CLI tool for spawning and running containers on Linux according to the OCI specification. In runc 1.1.11 and earlier, due to an internal file descriptor leak, an attacker could cause a newly-spawned container process (from runc exec) to have a working directory in the host filesystem namespace, allowing for a container escape by giving access to the host filesystem ("attack 2"). The same attack could be used by a malicious image to allow a container process to gain access to the host filesystem through runc run ("attack 1"). Variants of attacks 1 and 2 could be also be used to overwrite semi-arbitrary host binaries, allowing for complete container escapes ("attack 3a" and "attack 3b"). runc 1.1.12 includes patches for this issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere
The product exposes a resource to the wrong control sphere, providing unintended actors with inappropriate access to the resource.
More Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere vulnerabilities (CWE-668)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/176993/runc-1.1.11-File-Descriptor-Leak-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other references
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/01/1Mailing List
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/02/3Mailing List
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/02/msg00005.html
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/2NLXNE23Q5ESQUAI22Z7A6…
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/SYMO3BANINS6RGFQFKPRG4…Mailing List
- vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/leaky-vessels-part-1-cve-2024-21626
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0645
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0662
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0666
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0670
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0684
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0717
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0748
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0752
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0755
Other vulnerabilities in runc
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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