CVE-2020-15157 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

In containerd (an industry-standard container runtime) before version 1.2.14, a credential leaking vulnerability exists, allowing attackers to obtain sensitive information during image pulls.

Understanding CVE-2020-15157

This CVE involves a security issue in containerd that could lead to credential exposure during image retrieval.

What is CVE-2020-15157?

The vulnerability in containerd prior to version 1.2.14 allows malicious actors to extract authentication credentials when a container image manifest includes a URL for a specific image layer.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15157

Confidentiality Impact: High
Base Score: 6.1 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
User Interaction: Required
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Changed
Attack Complexity: High
Integrity Impact: None
Availability Impact: None

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15157

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The default containerd resolver leaks credentials if a manifest directs a layer retrieval to a controlled server.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: containerd
Vendor: containerd
Vulnerable Versions: < 1.2.14

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trick users into pulling a manipulated image, leading to credential exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from this vulnerability using the following strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade containerd to version 1.2.14 or later to mitigate the risk.
Only pull images from trusted sources to avoid potential credential leaks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update container runtimes and associated tools to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to address any identified vulnerabilities.