CVE-2023-25809

What it is

runc is a CLI tool for spawning and running containers according to the OCI specification. In affected versions it was found that rootless runc makes `/sys/fs/cgroup` writable in following conditons: 1. when runc is executed inside the user namespace, and the `config.json` does not specify the cgroup namespace to be unshared (e.g.., `(docker|podman|nerdctl) run --cgroupns=host`, with Rootless Docker/Podman/nerdctl) or 2. when runc is executed outside the user namespace, and `/sys` is mounted with `rbind, ro` (e.g., `runc spec --rootless`; this condition is very rare). A container may gain the write access to user-owned cgroup hierarchy `/sys/fs/cgroup/user.slice/...` on the host . Other users's cgroup hierarchies are not affected. Users are advised to upgrade to version 1.1.5. Users unable to upgrade may unshare the cgroup namespace (`(docker|podman|nerdctl) run --cgroupns=private)`. This is the default behavior of Docker/Podman/nerdctl on cgroup v2 hosts. or add `/sys/fs/cgroup` to `maskedPaths`.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-03-29 19:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 05:42 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-03-29 19:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:42 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-281

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linuxfoundation Runc < 1.1.5

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.0

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

Low

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-25809.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-25809. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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