CVE-2020-13845 : What You Need to Know

Sylabs Singularity 3.0 through 3.5 has an Improper Validation of an Integrity Check Value vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2020-13845

Sylabs Singularity container software versions 3.0 through 3.5 are affected by a security flaw that impacts image integrity validation.

What is CVE-2020-13845?

The vulnerability in Sylabs Singularity allows image integrity to remain unchecked when an ECL policy is enforced. This results in a comparison of the required fingerprint against the signature object descriptor(s) in the SIF file, rather than against a cryptographically validated signature.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13845

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to bypass image integrity checks, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other malicious activities within the container environment.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13845

Sylabs Singularity 3.0 through 3.5 vulnerability details:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw involves improper validation of an integrity check value, allowing image integrity to go unchecked under certain conditions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Sylabs Singularity
Versions: 3.0 through 3.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises when an ECL policy is enforced, leading to the incorrect comparison of required fingerprints with signature object descriptors.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2020-13845 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Sylabs Singularity to a patched version that addresses the integrity check validation issue.
Implement additional security measures to monitor and control container image integrity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch container software to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Enforce strict security policies and access controls within containerized environments.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Sylabs to ensure timely patching of vulnerabilities.