CVE-2024-21626

What it is

runc is a CLI tool for spawning and running containers on Linux according to the OCI specification. In runc 1.1.11 and earlier, due to an internal file descriptor leak, an attacker could cause a newly-spawned container process (from runc exec) to have a working directory in the host filesystem namespace, allowing for a container escape by giving access to the host filesystem ("attack 2"). The same attack could be used by a malicious image to allow a container process to gain access to the host filesystem through runc run ("attack 1"). Variants of attacks 1 and 2 could be also be used to overwrite semi-arbitrary host binaries, allowing for complete container escapes ("attack 3a" and "attack 3b"). runc 1.1.12 includes patches for this issue.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

18.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2024-01-31 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-17 12:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 18.9% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.6 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2024-01-31 22:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-17 12:17 UTC

Exploit probability

18.9% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-403

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linuxfoundation Runc < 1.1.12
• Fedoraproject Fedora 39

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.6

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Required

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

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-2024-21626.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2024-21626. 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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