CVE-2020-14298 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
The version of docker as released for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras via RHBA-2020:0053 advisory included an incorrect version of runc missing the fix for CVE-2019-5736, which was previously fixed via RHSA-2019:0304. This issue could allow a malicious or compromised container to compromise the container host and other containers running on the same host. This issue only affects docker version 1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30.el7, shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras. Both earlier and later versions are not affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-14298 represents a critical security flaw in Docker container runtime execution that emerged from a packaging error in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras. This issue specifically impacts the runc container runtime component that Docker relies upon for container execution, creating a scenario where containers could potentially escape their isolated environments and compromise the underlying host system. The vulnerability stems from an incorrect version of runc that was distributed as part of the RHBA-2020:0053 advisory, which failed to include the essential fix for CVE-2019-5736 that had previously been addressed in RHSA-2019:0304. This regression in security patching creates a dangerous situation where containerized applications, even when properly configured, could become attack vectors for host compromise.
The technical flaw manifests through the runc container runtime's handling of the /proc/self/exe file descriptor, which allows processes to access and modify their own executable binary. In the vulnerable version, runc did not properly secure this access mechanism, enabling malicious containers to overwrite the host's runc binary or gain elevated privileges through the /proc/self/exe file. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284 Access Control Issues and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes local privilege escalation through the exploitation of container runtime vulnerabilities. The flaw specifically affects the Docker version 1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30.el7, where the runc component was packaged without the necessary security patches that would prevent the overwrite of the host's runtime binary, creating a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain access to the compromised host.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual container compromise, potentially affecting entire container orchestration environments and cloud deployments. When a malicious container gains access to the host system through this vulnerability, it can escalate privileges to root level access, allowing attackers to manipulate host resources, access other containers, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This risk is particularly severe in multi-tenant environments where multiple organizations share the same infrastructure, as a single compromised container could provide attackers with access to all containers on the host. The vulnerability also affects container security posture by undermining the fundamental isolation principles that containerization technologies rely upon, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage to affected organizations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their container environments. The primary remediation involves updating to a patched version of Docker that includes the proper runc implementation with the CVE-2019-5736 fix, ensuring that all systems running the vulnerable Docker version 1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30.el7 are upgraded to a secure version. Additionally, organizations should implement runtime monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious file access patterns on /proc/self/exe and other system binaries, enabling early detection of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and container runtime security controls should be enhanced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation, while regular security audits should verify that container images and runtime environments remain free from vulnerable components. The mitigation approach should also include implementing container image scanning tools that can identify and prevent deployment of images containing known vulnerable components, ensuring that security patches are consistently applied across all containerized environments.