CVE-2018-8115 in Windows Host Compute
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Host Compute Service Shim (hcsshim) library fails to properly validate input while importing a container image, aka "Windows Host Compute Service Shim Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Windows Host Compute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8115 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Windows Host Compute Service Shim (hcsshim) library, which forms a fundamental component of Windows containerization infrastructure. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms during the container image import process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows Host Compute Service which is responsible for managing container operations and orchestrating the interaction between the host operating system and containerized applications. When a maliciously crafted container image is imported through the hcsshim library, the insufficient validation allows attacker-controlled data to bypass security checks and potentially execute code with elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data within the container import pipeline. The hcsshim library, which serves as a bridge between the Windows container runtime and the underlying host system, fails to adequately sanitize or validate the metadata and content of container images during the import phase. This weakness creates an opportunity for attackers to craft specially formatted container images that contain malicious code or data structures designed to exploit the validation gaps. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," which encompasses issues where input data is not properly validated before being processed by a system. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of CWE-78, "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command," as the insufficient validation can lead to command injection scenarios within the container processing environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8115 extends significantly across enterprise environments that utilize Windows containerization technologies, particularly those running Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, or Windows 10 versions that include the affected Host Compute Service components. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to container hosts, potentially escalating privileges to system level access and compromising the entire container infrastructure. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments where container images are frequently pulled from external registries. Organizations utilizing container orchestration platforms such as Docker or Kubernetes that rely on Windows Host Compute Service for container management are especially at risk, as these platforms often automatically import and process container images from remote repositories without proper additional validation layers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8115 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed through the August 2018 security bulletin. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of container hosts to untrusted networks and external repositories. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running container processes with minimal required permissions and by implementing container image scanning solutions that can detect and block malicious container images before import. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual container import activities or attempts to execute commands within container environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.001 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078 "Valid Accounts" as attackers may leverage the executed code to establish persistence or move laterally within the network. Security teams should also consider implementing container image provenance tracking and establishing secure software supply chain practices to prevent the introduction of malicious container images into production environments.