// For flags

CVE-2023-28642

AppArmor bypass with symlinked /proc in runc

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track
*SSVC
Descriptions

runc is a CLI tool for spawning and running containers according to the OCI specification. It was found that AppArmor can be bypassed when `/proc` inside the container is symlinked with a specific mount configuration. This issue has been fixed in runc version 1.1.5, by prohibiting symlinked `/proc`. See PR #3785 for details. users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade should avoid using an untrusted container image.

A flaw was found in runc. This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and create a symbolic link inside a container to the /proc directory, bypassing AppArmor and SELinux protections.

It was discovered that runC incorrectly made /sys/fs/cgroup writable when in rootless mode. An attacker could possibly use this issue to escalate privileges. It was discovered that runC incorrectly performed access control when mounting /proc to non-directories. An attacker could possibly use this issue to escalate privileges. It was discovered that runC incorrectly handled /proc and /sys mounts inside a container. An attacker could possibly use this issue to bypass AppArmor, and potentially SELinux.

*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
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Partial
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2023-03-20 CVE Reserved
  • 2023-03-29 CVE Published
  • 2025-02-12 CVE Updated
  • 2025-03-30 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
  • CWE-281: Improper Preservation of Permissions
  • CWE-305: Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linuxfoundation
Search vendor "Linuxfoundation"
 Runc
Search vendor "Linuxfoundation" for product "Runc"
 < 1.1.5
Search vendor "Linuxfoundation" for product "Runc" and version " < 1.1.5"
-
Affected