CVE-2022-2738 in Podman
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2022
The version of podman as released for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras via RHSA-2022:2190 advisory included an incorrect version of podman missing the fix for CVE-2020-8945, which was previously fixed via RHSA-2020:2117. This issue could possibly be used to crash or cause potential code execution in Go applications that use the Go GPGME wrapper library, under certain conditions, during GPG signature verification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-2738 represents a critical security regression affecting Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 systems that utilize the podman containerization platform. This issue stems from an erroneous software release where the podman package distributed through the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras channel contained an outdated version that failed to incorporate the remediation for CVE-2020-8945. The original vulnerability CVE-2020-8945 was addressed through RHSA-2020:2117, establishing a precedent for how such security flaws must be properly maintained across software distributions. This particular regression demonstrates the importance of proper version control and release management in enterprise security ecosystems, where even minor oversight can reintroduce previously mitigated threats.
The technical flaw manifests within the Go GPGME wrapper library integration within podman's functionality, specifically during GPG signature verification operations. When applications utilizing this library perform signature verification, the vulnerability creates conditions that could lead to application crashes or potentially enable code execution within the context of the Go application. The underlying mechanism involves improper handling of GPG signature verification processes that could be exploited through carefully crafted inputs or specific environmental conditions. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of cryptographic library handling and application security, where the GPGME library's interface with Go applications creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios. The flaw specifically affects systems where podman processes interact with GPG signature verification, making it particularly relevant for containerized environments that require secure package management or image verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within enterprise environments that rely heavily on containerized applications and automated security verification processes. Organizations running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 systems with podman installed may experience unexpected application failures or security breaches if attackers exploit the code execution possibilities. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that use podman for image verification, package management, or other security-sensitive operations where GPG signatures are validated. This regression creates a dangerous situation where previously patched systems may become vulnerable again, potentially compromising container security policies and undermining trust in automated verification processes. The impact is especially severe in environments where container images are frequently verified using GPG signatures, as these operations become attack surfaces for potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 environments. The primary recommendation involves applying the correct security update from RHSA-2022:2190 to ensure that podman contains the proper fix for CVE-2020-8945. Organizations should verify that their systems have received the patched version and confirm that the GPGME library integration within podman functions correctly. Additionally, administrators should implement monitoring for any unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach aligns with standard security practices for maintaining software integrity and preventing regression vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of proper patch management and version verification. Organizations should also consider temporarily disabling GPG signature verification operations within podman until the proper update is confirmed to be active, following the principle of least privilege and minimizing potential attack surface exposure.
This vulnerability demonstrates several key aspects of security management including the importance of maintaining consistent software versions across distribution channels, the risks of incomplete patch deployment, and the critical nature of cryptographic library security in containerized environments. The issue relates to CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues and CWE-476 which deals with null pointer dereferences, both of which can manifest in the GPG signature verification context. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, depending on how it is exploited. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software supply chain security and the need for robust verification processes that ensure security patches are correctly applied and maintained across all distribution channels.