CVE-2018-10892 in Docker Moby
Summary
by MITRE
The default OCI linux spec in oci/defaults{_linux}.go in Docker/Moby from 1.11 to current does not block /proc/acpi pathnames. The flaw allows an attacker to modify host's hardware like enabling/disabling bluetooth or turning up/down keyboard brightness.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10892 represents a critical container escape risk within Docker and Moby container platforms, affecting versions from 1.11 through current releases. This flaw exists in the default Open Container Initiative linux specification implementation within the oci/defaults_linux.go file, where the container runtime fails to properly restrict access to sensitive host hardware interfaces. The issue stems from inadequate path name blocking mechanisms that allow containers to access the /proc/acpi directory tree, which serves as a gateway to host hardware control interfaces. This represents a significant deviation from the principle of least privilege that should govern containerized environments, as it provides unauthorized access to hardware-level controls that should remain isolated from containerized applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate host system hardware components through the exposed /proc/acpi interface. Specifically, adversaries can modify hardware states such as enabling or disabling bluetooth functionality, adjusting keyboard brightness levels, and potentially controlling other ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) managed hardware components. This occurs because the default container configuration fails to properly mount or restrict access to the /proc/acpi filesystem path, allowing containerized processes to traverse and interact with host hardware management interfaces. The vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation vector that bypasses normal container isolation boundaries, effectively undermining the security model that containers are designed to provide.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for containerized environments where multiple tenants or untrusted applications share the same host infrastructure. Attackers who gain access to a container can leverage this flaw to perform hardware-level attacks that extend beyond typical container boundaries, potentially affecting other containers or host services. The ability to modify hardware states like keyboard brightness or bluetooth functionality represents a form of persistent hardware manipulation that could be used for reconnaissance, denial of service attacks, or as a stepping stone for further compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects cloud environments and multi-tenant deployments where container isolation is paramount for security.
The flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and represents a specific instance of inadequate access control within container runtime configurations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through hardware manipulation. The vulnerability also relates to the broader category of container escape techniques that exploit misconfigurations in container runtime environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Docker or Moby, manually restricting access to /proc/acpi paths in container configurations, and implementing comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized hardware access patterns. Additionally, organizations should review their container runtime security policies and ensure proper isolation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other system interfaces.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security hardening in container runtime configurations, particularly in how default security policies are implemented. The issue highlights the need for security-conscious default configurations that properly isolate container environments from host hardware interfaces. Organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning of container configurations to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities and ensure that default security policies align with the principle of least privilege. Regular security audits of container runtime configurations and access controls remain essential for maintaining secure containerized environments.