CVE-2022-2739 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-2020-14370, which was previously fixed via RHSA-2020:5056. This issue could possibly allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information stored in environment variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-2739 represents a critical regression in the podman container management tool within Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras. This issue stems from an incorrect package version that failed to incorporate the necessary security patch for CVE-2020-14370, which was originally addressed through the RHSA-2020:5056 advisory. The problem manifests as a failure to properly sanitize environment variables during container execution, creating a potential information disclosure vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of environment variables within the podman execution context. When containers are launched, environment variables that should be isolated and protected are being exposed to unauthorized access, creating a direct pathway for information leakage. This regression demonstrates a failure in the package management and security patching process, where a previously resolved vulnerability was inadvertently reintroduced or omitted from the updated package. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper handling of sensitive information, and specifically relates to the exposure of environment variables that contain sensitive data such as credentials, API keys, or other confidential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and lateral movement within containerized environments. Attackers who gain access to a system running the affected podman version could extract sensitive environment variables from running containers, potentially compromising authentication tokens, database credentials, or other confidential data stored in these variables. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where container orchestration is prevalent and sensitive data is routinely processed within containerized applications. The issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security boundaries that containers are designed to maintain.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the correct podman version that includes the CVE-2020-14370 fix, as referenced in RHSA-2020:5056. The remediation process should involve verifying that all systems running podman have been updated to versions that properly implement environment variable sanitization. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of container environments to identify any potential exposure from compromised containers that may have been running with the vulnerable podman version. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining strict package version control and implementing robust security patch management processes to prevent similar regressions from occurring in the future. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1552, which involves credentials in files, as the exposure of environment variables can lead to credential harvesting and unauthorized access to protected resources.