CVE-2020-27151:Kata Containers through 1.11.3 and 2.x through 2.0-rc1 allows arbitrary binary execution via annotations, enabling privilege escalation to root on worker nodes.

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A security vulnerability has been identified in Kata Containers through versions 1.11.3 and 2.x through 2.0-rc1. The issue allows malicious users with cluster access to execute arbitrary binaries with root privileges on worker nodes. The vulnerability stems from the kata-runtime component executing binaries specified through annotations without performing proper validation checks. This creates a significant security risk as it allows privilege escalation from a container context to the host system.

Overview

The vulnerability in Kata Containers (CVE-2020-27151) presents a serious security risk for containerized environments. Kata Containers is a secure container runtime that uses lightweight virtual machines to provide isolation between containers. The vulnerability exists because the runtime will execute binaries specified via annotations without validating these executables. Any user with access rights to a Kubernetes cluster running Kata Containers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code as root on the worker nodes, effectively bypassing the container isolation that Kata Containers is designed to provide. This vulnerability undermines the security model of containerization by allowing container escape and privilege escalation to the host system.

Remediation

Organizations using Kata Containers should immediately upgrade to patched versions:

  • For 1.x series: Update to version 1.11.5 or later
  • For 2.x series: Update to version 2.0.0 or later

If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing the following temporary mitigations:

  1. Restrict access to your Kubernetes clusters, especially permissions that allow creating or modifying pods
  2. Implement strict pod security policies that restrict the use of annotations
  3. Monitor for suspicious activities related to pod creation or modification
  4. Consider implementing network policies to restrict communication between pods and external endpoints

References

  1. Launchpad Bug Report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/katacontainers.io/+bug/1878234
  2. Kata Containers 2.0.0 Release (with fix): https://github.com/kata-containers/kata-containers/releases/tag/2.0.0
  3. Kata Containers Runtime 1.11.5 Release (with fix): https://github.com/kata-containers/runtime/releases/tag/1.11.5
  4. Kata Containers Runtime 1.12.0 Release: https://github.com/kata-containers/runtime/releases/tag/1.12.0

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction
    Construction
  6. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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Armis Vulnerability Intelligence Database