// For flags

CVE-2016-3697

docker: privilege escalation via confusion of usernames and UIDs

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

< 1%
*EPSS

Affected Versions

3
*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

libcontainer/user/user.go in runC before 0.1.0, as used in Docker before 1.11.2, improperly treats a numeric UID as a potential username, which allows local users to gain privileges via a numeric username in the password file in a container.

libcontainer/user/user.go en runC en versiones anteriores a 0.1.0, tal como se utiliza en Docker en versiones anteriores a 1.11.2, trata indebidamente un UID numérico como un nombre de usuario potencial, lo que permite a usuarios locales obtener privilegios a través de un nombre de usuario numérico en el archivo password en un contenedor.

It was found that Docker would launch containers under the specified UID instead of a username. An attacker able to launch a container could use this flaw to escalate their privileges to root within the launched container.

Docker is an open-source engine that automates the deployment of any application as a lightweight, portable, self-sufficient container that will run virtually anywhere. Security Fix: It was found that Docker would launch containers under the specified UID instead of a username. An attacker able to launch a container could use this flaw to escalate their privileges to root within the launched container.

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
None
Availability
None
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Medium
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
Partial
Availability
Partial
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2016-03-30 CVE Reserved
  • 2016-05-13 CVE Published
  • 2024-08-06 CVE Updated
  • 2025-03-30 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-264: Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions (3)