CVE-2014-9356 in Docker
Summary
by MITRE
Path traversal vulnerability in Docker before 1.3.3 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files and bypass a container protection mechanism via a full pathname in a symlink in an (1) image or (2) build in a Dockerfile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2014-9356 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in Docker containerization software that existed prior to version 1.3.3. This vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security isolation that containers are designed to provide by allowing remote attackers to manipulate file system access through symbolic link manipulation. The flaw specifically targets Docker's handling of symbolic links within both container images and Dockerfile build processes, creating a significant attack vector that bypasses container protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Docker processes symbolic links that contain full pathnames during image creation or build operations. When a malicious actor includes a symlink with an absolute path in a Dockerfile or image, the container runtime fails to properly validate or sanitize these paths, allowing the symlink to resolve to locations outside the intended container boundaries. This path traversal occurs because Docker's file system handling does not adequately enforce path restrictions when processing symbolic links, particularly those with absolute paths that could potentially escape the container's root filesystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation to encompass complete container escape capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to write arbitrary files to locations outside the container's designated filesystem, effectively bypassing the fundamental security model that isolates container processes from the host system. This vulnerability enables attackers to modify critical system files, inject malicious code into the host environment, or access sensitive data that should remain isolated within containers. The implications are particularly severe in multi-tenant environments where container isolation is paramount for security.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service. The flaw demonstrates how improper input validation in container orchestration tools can create attack paths that violate the principle of least privilege. Organizations using Docker versions prior to 1.3.3 faced significant risk of privilege escalation and persistent access to host systems. The vulnerability also intersects with T1566 Initial Access through supply chain attacks, where malicious images or build files could contain the malicious symbolic links. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability required minimal privileges to exploit and could be leveraged in automated attacks against containerized applications.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2014-9356 involve immediate upgrade to Docker version 1.3.3 or later, which includes proper path validation for symbolic links. Organizations should also implement strict image verification processes, container runtime security policies, and regular security scanning of container images. Additional protective measures include disabling the use of absolute path symbolic links in Dockerfiles, implementing container runtime monitoring for suspicious file operations, and establishing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential container escapes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of validating all input paths within containerized environments and highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing of container orchestration platforms.