CVE-2018-10856 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw in podman up to version 0.6.1 allows non-root users to run containers without dropping capabilities, granting unnecessary privileges.

Understanding CVE-2018-10856

What is CVE-2018-10856?

CVE-2018-10856 is a vulnerability in podman versions up to 0.6.1, enabling non-root users to gain extra privileges when running containers.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10856

The vulnerability results in containers being granted unnecessary privileges, potentially leading to security breaches and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10856

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in podman versions before 0.6.1 allows containers to retain capabilities when executed by non-root users, leading to elevated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: podman
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Versions Affected: podman 0.6.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
CVSS Base Score: 5.3 (Medium)

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update podman to version 0.6.1 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict non-root users from running containers to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary capabilities for containers.
Regularly monitor and audit container activities to detect any unauthorized actions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by the vendor to address vulnerabilities.