CVE-2020-14300 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
The docker packages version docker-1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30.el7 as released for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras via RHBA-2020:0053 (https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2020:0053) included an incorrect version of runc that was missing multiple bug and security fixes. One of the fixes regressed in that update was the fix for CVE-2016-9962, that was previously corrected in the docker packages in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras via RHSA-2017:0116 (https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0116). The CVE-2020-14300 was assigned to this security regression and it is specific to the docker packages produced by Red Hat. The original issue - CVE-2016-9962 - could possibly allow a process inside container to compromise a process entering container namespace and execute arbitrary code outside of the container. This could lead to compromise of the container host or other containers running on the same container host. This issue only affects a single version of Docker, 1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30, shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. 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-2020-14300 represents a critical regression in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras docker package ecosystem that undermines container security through the inclusion of an outdated runc component. This issue specifically impacts the docker-1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30 package version that was distributed via RHBA-2020:0053, creating a security gap that had previously been addressed in earlier releases. The regression occurred when the runc component was updated without properly incorporating essential security patches that had been previously implemented, effectively reverting progress made in container security hardening. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper version control and patch management in containerized environments where the integrity of underlying components directly impacts host and container isolation.
The technical flaw at the core of CVE-2020-14300 stems from the regression of the fix for CVE-2016-9962, which was originally addressed in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras through RHSA-2017:0116. The original vulnerability CVE-2016-9962 allowed processes within a container to exploit container namespace mechanisms and potentially compromise processes entering the container namespace, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution outside the container boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-264, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically targeting container isolation mechanisms. The regression in CVE-2020-14300 essentially restores the original attack surface that had been closed, creating a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by malicious actors seeking to escape container boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14300 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to represent a fundamental compromise of container security architecture. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to gain access to the container host system or other containers running on the same host, effectively breaking the isolation that containers are designed to provide. This represents a significant threat to multi-tenant container environments where multiple applications or users share the same infrastructure, as it could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers privilege escalation through container escape mechanisms, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation via container runtime vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability is specific to a single, well-defined version of the docker package, docker-1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30, making it a targeted issue that can be easily identified and remediated. Earlier versions of the docker package that were not affected by this regression contain the proper runc fixes, while later versions have also been properly patched. This specificity highlights the importance of proper software version management and the risks associated with partial or incorrect updates in enterprise environments. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement remediation measures including upgrading to a patched version of the docker package, verifying that the correct runc version is installed, and conducting security assessments of container workloads that may have been exposed to this regression. The incident underscores the critical nature of maintaining consistent security patching across container runtime components and the potential consequences of incomplete security updates in virtualized environments.