CVE-2019-19921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2019-19921 is a vulnerability in version 1.0.0-rc9 of runc that allows for Privilege Escalation due to a flaw in Access Control. This issue is specifically related to the libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go file.

Understanding CVE-2019-19921

This vulnerability requires an attacker to create two containers with personalized volume-mount configurations and execute customized images.

What is CVE-2019-19921?

The vulnerability in runc version 1.0.0-rc9 allows attackers to escalate privileges through a flaw in Access Control, requiring specific container configurations and image execution.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19921

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the affected system.
Docker is not affected due to a specific implementation detail that prevents the attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19921

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Access Control in runc version 1.0.0-rc9 enables Privilege Escalation for attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Affected Version: 1.0.0-rc9

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need to create two containers with specific configurations and execute customized images.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19921 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update runc to a patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor container configurations and image executions for suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access controls for containers.
Regularly audit and update container security configurations.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by runc to address the vulnerability.