CVE-2018-1197 in Windows Stemcells
Summary
by MITRE
In Windows Stemcells versions prior to 1200.14, apps running inside containers in Windows on Google Cloud Platform are able to access the metadata endpoint. A malicious developer could use this access to gain privileged credentials.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1197 represents a critical container isolation failure within Windows Stemcells versions prior to 1200.14 that operates within Google Cloud Platform environments. This issue fundamentally undermines the security boundaries that containerization is designed to enforce, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation through unauthorized access to metadata services. The vulnerability specifically affects containerized applications running on Windows-based virtual machines that utilize the Stemcells containerization technology, which is commonly deployed in cloud infrastructure environments.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate network isolation mechanisms that allow containerized applications to bypass standard security controls governing access to the metadata endpoint. This endpoint typically contains sensitive information including service account credentials, instance identifiers, and other privileged data that should remain inaccessible to untrusted applications. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the container runtime's network namespace implementation, where container processes can directly communicate with the host system's metadata service at the well-known IP address 169.254.169.254. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control enforcement, classified under CWE-284 Access Control Bypass, where the system fails to properly restrict access to privileged resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables malicious actors with access to containerized applications to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to cloud resources. Attackers can leverage this access to obtain service account tokens and other privileged credentials that would normally be restricted to system-level processes. This creates a significant risk for organizations deploying Windows-based containerized workloads on Google Cloud Platform, as it essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for privilege escalation that could lead to complete compromise of cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core security model of containerization by allowing applications to access resources that should be isolated from user-space processes, potentially enabling lateral movement within cloud environments and access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches to update Stemcells to version 1200.14 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for network isolation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation controls and firewall rules to block access to the metadata endpoint from containerized applications, though this approach may impact legitimate application functionality. The mitigation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 Privilege Escalation through Cloud Infrastructure, where adversaries exploit misconfigurations in cloud environments to gain elevated privileges. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict container runtime policies, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to metadata endpoints, and conducting regular security assessments of containerized environments. Organizations should also consider adopting zero-trust network architectures that enforce least-privilege access controls and continuously validate access permissions for all system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date containerization platforms and implementing robust network isolation controls in cloud environments.