CVE-2019-11245 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2019-11245, published on May 24, 2019, addresses a vulnerability in Kubernetes affecting versions v1.13.6 and v1.14.2. The issue allows containers to run as root (uid 0) when restarted or if the image is already present on the node, potentially leading to security risks.

Understanding CVE-2019-11245

This CVE highlights a security concern in Kubernetes versions v1.13.6 and v1.14.2 where containers may run as root without proper configuration.

What is CVE-2019-11245?

Containers in kubelet v1.13.6 and v1.14.2 may run as uid 0 (root) during restarts or when the image is pre-existing on the node, unless specific runAsUser directives are defined for the pods.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11245

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 4.9. It can lead to unauthorized access and potential privilege escalation within affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11245

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Containers in Kubernetes versions v1.13.6 and v1.14.2 may run as root (uid 0) if not explicitly configured otherwise, potentially compromising system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kubernetes
Versions: v1.13.6, v1.14.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows containers to run as root, increasing the risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-11245 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Specify runAsUser directives in pods to control the uid a container runs as.
Specify mustRunAsNonRoot:true directives in pods to prevent starting as root.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update pod configurations to ensure proper security measures are in place.
Implement least privilege principles to restrict container permissions.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Kubernetes to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.