CVE-2019-10145 in rkt
Summary
by MITRE
rkt through version 1.30.0 does not isolate processes in containers that are run with `rkt enter`. Processes run with `rkt enter` do not have seccomp filtering during stage 2 (the actual environment in which the applications run). Compromised containers could exploit this flaw to access host resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10145 affects the rkt container engine version 1.30.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in process isolation mechanisms. This issue specifically impacts the `rkt enter` command functionality where containers are executed with insufficient security boundaries during the second stage of container execution. The root cause lies in the absence of seccomp filtering during stage 2 execution, which represents a fundamental breakdown in the containerization security model that rkt implements.
The technical flaw manifests when users execute commands within running containers using the `rkt enter` functionality. During this process, the container's stage 2 environment lacks proper system call filtering that would normally restrict access to potentially dangerous operations. This absence of seccomp filtering creates a pathway for malicious processes within compromised containers to escape their isolated environment and potentially access host system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines the core principle of container isolation that security-conscious organizations rely upon to prevent lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with potential access to host-level resources including file systems, network interfaces, and system processes. An attacker who has already compromised a container could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the host system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-119 which addresses weakness in memory handling, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as privilege escalation and lateral movement through container escape methods. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism that bypasses the intended security boundaries of the container runtime environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of rkt to versions that address the missing seccomp filtering implementation during stage 2 execution. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of container entry operations to detect suspicious activities. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of comprehensive security controls throughout all execution stages of containerized applications, as highlighted in industry best practices for container security frameworks that emphasize multi-layered defense mechanisms against container escape attacks.