Vulnerabilities > CVE-2016-8649 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in Linuxcontainers LXC

047910
CVSS 9.1 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
HIGH
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
linuxcontainers
CWE-264
critical
nessus
NVD
Published: 2017-05-01
Updated: 2024-11-21

Summary

lxc-attach in LXC before 1.0.9 and 2.x before 2.0.6 allows an attacker inside of an unprivileged container to use an inherited file descriptor, of the host's /proc, to access the rest of the host's filesystem via the openat() family of syscalls.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Linuxcontainers
57

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Nessus

  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2016-B4DD1DB1E7.NASL
    descriptionUpdate LXC to the latest stable version. See [here](https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/) for the list of changes. Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora update system website. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-05
    modified2016-12-14
    plugin id95784
    published2016-12-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/95784
    titleFedora 24 : lxc (2016-b4dd1db1e7)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from Fedora Security Advisory FEDORA-2016-b4dd1db1e7.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(95784);
  script_version("3.5");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/06/04");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-8649");
  script_xref(name:"FEDORA", value:"2016-b4dd1db1e7");

  script_name(english:"Fedora 24 : lxc (2016-b4dd1db1e7)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Fedora host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Update LXC to the latest stable version.

See [here](https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/) for the list of
changes.

Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding
description block directly from the Fedora update system website.
Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as
possible without introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bodhi.fedoraproject.org/updates/FEDORA-2016-b4dd1db1e7"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected lxc package.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:fedoraproject:fedora:lxc");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:fedoraproject:fedora:24");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/05/01");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/12/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/12/14");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Fedora Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/RedHat/release", "Host/RedHat/rpm-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("rpm.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
release = get_kb_item("Host/RedHat/release");
if (isnull(release) || "Fedora" >!< release) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Fedora");
os_ver = pregmatch(pattern: "Fedora.*release ([0-9]+)", string:release);
if (isnull(os_ver)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_APP_VER, "Fedora");
os_ver = os_ver[1];
if (! preg(pattern:"^24([^0-9]|$)", string:os_ver)) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Fedora 24", "Fedora " + os_ver);

if (!get_kb_item("Host/RedHat/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
if ("x86_64" >!< cpu && cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$") audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "Fedora", cpu);


flag = 0;
if (rpm_check(release:"FC24", reference:"lxc-2.0.6-2.fc24")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  security_report_v4(
    port       : 0,
    severity   : SECURITY_HOLE,
    extra      : rpm_report_get()
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  tested = pkg_tests_get();
  if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
  else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "lxc");
}
  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2016-868350FE5A.NASL
    descriptionUpdate LXC to the latest stable version. See [here](https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/) for the list of changes. Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora update system website. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-05
    modified2016-12-14
    plugin id95782
    published2016-12-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/95782
    titleFedora 25 : lxc (2016-868350fe5a)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from Fedora Security Advisory FEDORA-2016-868350fe5a.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(95782);
  script_version("3.5");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/06/04");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-8649");
  script_xref(name:"FEDORA", value:"2016-868350fe5a");

  script_name(english:"Fedora 25 : lxc (2016-868350fe5a)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Fedora host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Update LXC to the latest stable version.

See [here](https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/) for the list of
changes.

Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding
description block directly from the Fedora update system website.
Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as
possible without introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bodhi.fedoraproject.org/updates/FEDORA-2016-868350fe5a"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected lxc package.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:fedoraproject:fedora:lxc");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:fedoraproject:fedora:25");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/05/01");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/12/13");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/12/14");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Fedora Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/RedHat/release", "Host/RedHat/rpm-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("rpm.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
release = get_kb_item("Host/RedHat/release");
if (isnull(release) || "Fedora" >!< release) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Fedora");
os_ver = pregmatch(pattern: "Fedora.*release ([0-9]+)", string:release);
if (isnull(os_ver)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_APP_VER, "Fedora");
os_ver = os_ver[1];
if (! preg(pattern:"^25([^0-9]|$)", string:os_ver)) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Fedora 25", "Fedora " + os_ver);

if (!get_kb_item("Host/RedHat/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
if ("x86_64" >!< cpu && cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$") audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "Fedora", cpu);


flag = 0;
if (rpm_check(release:"FC25", reference:"lxc-2.0.6-2.fc25")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  security_report_v4(
    port       : 0,
    severity   : SECURITY_HOLE,
    extra      : rpm_report_get()
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  tested = pkg_tests_get();
  if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
  else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "lxc");
}
  • NASL familyUbuntu Local Security Checks
    NASL idUBUNTU_USN-3136-1.NASL
    descriptionRoman Fiedler discovered a directory traversal flaw in lxc-attach. An attacker with access to an LXC container could exploit this flaw to access files outside of the container. Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id95295
    published2016-11-23
    reporterUbuntu Security Notice (C) 2016-2019 Canonical, Inc. / NASL script (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/95295
    titleUbuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 16.10 : lxc vulnerability (USN-3136-1)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
# extracted from Ubuntu Security Notice USN-3136-1. The text 
# itself is copyright (C) Canonical, Inc. See 
# <http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/>. Ubuntu(R) is a registered 
# trademark of Canonical, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(95295);
  script_version("1.8");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/09/18 12:31:46");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-8649");
  script_xref(name:"USN", value:"3136-1");

  script_name(english:"Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 16.10 : lxc vulnerability (USN-3136-1)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for updated packages.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:
"The remote Ubuntu host is missing one or more security-related
patches."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Roman Fiedler discovered a directory traversal flaw in lxc-attach. An
attacker with access to an LXC container could exploit this flaw to
access files outside of the container.

Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding
description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory. Tenable
has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible
without introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://usn.ubuntu.com/3136-1/"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:"Update the affected liblxc1, lxc and / or lxc1 packages."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:liblxc1");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:lxc");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:lxc1");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.10");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/05/01");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/11/23");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/11/23");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"Ubuntu Security Notice (C) 2016-2019 Canonical, Inc. / NASL script (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Ubuntu Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/cpu", "Host/Ubuntu", "Host/Ubuntu/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("ubuntu.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

if ( ! get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled") ) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
release = get_kb_item("Host/Ubuntu/release");
if ( isnull(release) ) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Ubuntu");
release = chomp(release);
if (! preg(pattern:"^(14\.04|16\.04|16\.10)$", string:release)) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Ubuntu 14.04 / 16.04 / 16.10", "Ubuntu " + release);
if ( ! get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l") ) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
if ("x86_64" >!< cpu && cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$") audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "Ubuntu", cpu);

flag = 0;

if (ubuntu_check(osver:"14.04", pkgname:"liblxc1", pkgver:"1.0.8-0ubuntu0.4")) flag++;
if (ubuntu_check(osver:"14.04", pkgname:"lxc", pkgver:"1.0.8-0ubuntu0.4")) flag++;
if (ubuntu_check(osver:"16.04", pkgname:"liblxc1", pkgver:"2.0.5-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04.3")) flag++;
if (ubuntu_check(osver:"16.04", pkgname:"lxc1", pkgver:"2.0.5-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04.3")) flag++;
if (ubuntu_check(osver:"16.10", pkgname:"liblxc1", pkgver:"2.0.5-0ubuntu1.2")) flag++;
if (ubuntu_check(osver:"16.10", pkgname:"lxc1", pkgver:"2.0.5-0ubuntu1.2")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  security_report_v4(
    port       : 0,
    severity   : SECURITY_HOLE,
    extra      : ubuntu_report_get()
  );
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  tested = ubuntu_pkg_tests_get();
  if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
  else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "liblxc1 / lxc / lxc1");
}
  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2016-E5FF0ED40C.NASL
    descriptionUpdate LXC to the latest stable version. See [here](https://linuxcontainers.org/lxc/news/) for the list of changes. Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora update system website. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-05
    modified2016-12-14
    plugin id95785
    published2016-12-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/95785
    titleFedora 23 : lxc (2016-e5ff0ed40c)
  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idOPENSUSE-2016-1488.NASL
    descriptionThis update for lxc fixes the following issue : - CVE-2016-8649: guest escape via ptrace of lxc-attach (boo#1010933).
    last seen2020-06-05
    modified2016-12-20
    plugin id96029
    published2016-12-20
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/96029
    titleopenSUSE Security Update : lxc (openSUSE-2016-1488)

References