CVE-2022-27652 in cri-o
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2022
A flaw was found in cri-o, where containers were incorrectly started with non-empty default permissions. A vulnerability was found in Moby (Docker Engine) where containers started incorrectly with non-empty inheritable Linux process capabilities. This flaw allows an attacker with access to programs with inheritable file capabilities to elevate those capabilities to the permitted set when execve(2) runs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2026
The identified vulnerabilities span two critical container runtime components that form the foundation of modern containerized environments. The cri-o container runtime exhibits a permission misconfiguration flaw where containers are initiated with non-empty default permissions, creating potential security exposure vectors. This issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing containers to inherit unnecessary permissions that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests in the container initialization process where proper permission handling fails to occur, potentially enabling unauthorized access to system resources or data within the containerized environment. Such misconfigurations can be particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where isolation between containers is paramount for security.
The Moby container engine vulnerability presents a more sophisticated capability escalation issue involving Linux process capabilities. When containers are started with incorrect inheritable capabilities, programs running within these containers can leverage file capabilities to elevate their effective permissions during execve system calls. This flaw operates at the kernel level and exploits the Linux capability model where inheritable capabilities can be promoted to permitted set when execve executes, effectively bypassing normal privilege restrictions. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between file capabilities and process capabilities, creating a path for privilege escalation that could allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges within containerized applications.
Both vulnerabilities collectively represent significant threats to container security and align with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework. The cri-o vulnerability maps to CWE-276 which addresses improper permissions and access control, while the Moby vulnerability corresponds to CWE-250 which deals with execution with unnecessary privileges and CWE-782 which addresses exposure of system resources through improper capability management. These flaws directly enable techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting container escape and privilege escalation techniques that leverage container runtime weaknesses. The combined impact of both vulnerabilities can result in complete system compromise when exploited by attackers who gain access to programs with file capabilities.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple permission issues to encompass complete system compromise potential. Organizations using affected container runtimes face risks of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they operate at the fundamental level of container execution and privilege management, making them difficult to detect through standard security scanning tools. Security teams must consider the implications of these flaws in their container security posture, as they can be exploited to bypass traditional security controls and access system resources that should remain restricted. The vulnerabilities highlight the importance of proper container runtime configuration and the need for comprehensive security monitoring of containerized environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from the respective vendors, cri-o and Moby, while implementing additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should enforce strict container image security policies, implement capability dropping mechanisms, and regularly audit container runtime configurations to ensure proper privilege management. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious container behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing container runtime security solutions that can detect and prevent the specific privilege escalation patterns associated with these vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of containerized environments should include verification of capability inheritance and permission settings to ensure compliance with security best practices and reduce the risk of exploitation.