CVE-2024-0137 in Container Toolkit
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
NVIDIA Container Toolkit contains an improper isolation vulnerability where a specially crafted container image could lead to untrusted code running in the host’s network namespace. This vulnerability is present only when the NVIDIA Container Toolkit is configured in a nondefault way. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to denial of service and escalation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0137 resides within the NVIDIA Container Toolkit, a critical component that enables containerized applications to leverage nvidia gpu capabilities. This improper isolation flaw represents a significant security concern as it allows malicious actors to potentially execute untrusted code within the host's network namespace through carefully crafted container images. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the toolkit is configured outside of its default security parameters, highlighting the importance of proper configuration management in container security environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate isolation mechanisms between containerized processes and the host system's network namespace. When configured nondefault, the toolkit fails to properly enforce network namespace boundaries, creating a potential attack vector where containerized applications could escape their isolated environment and gain access to host network resources. This misconfiguration allows for privilege escalation and may enable attackers to manipulate network communications, potentially leading to data exfiltration or further system compromise. The flaw aligns with CWE-160, which addresses improper isolation issues in containerized environments, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in container security.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0137 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential denial of service conditions and broader system compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could disrupt critical network services, manipulate container network configurations, or establish persistent access points within the host environment. The implications are particularly severe in multi-tenant container environments or production systems where GPU acceleration is commonly deployed. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through container escape and network service disruption, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on nvidia gpu acceleration within containerized infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0137 require immediate attention to toolkit configuration practices and comprehensive security hardening. Organizations should ensure that the NVIDIA Container Toolkit operates with default security configurations, avoiding custom network namespace handling that could introduce the vulnerability. System administrators must conduct thorough configuration reviews to identify any nondefault toolkit settings and implement proper network namespace isolation controls. Regular security assessments should include verification of toolkit configurations against security benchmarks, with particular attention to network namespace handling and container isolation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date toolkit versions ensures protection against known vulnerabilities in the container runtime environment.