CVE-2021-41103: Insufficiently restricted permissions on plugin directories in github.com/containerd/containerd
Summary
CVE-2021-41103: Insufficiently restricted permissions on plugin directories in github.com/containerd/containerd. Affects github.com/containerd/containerd across 2 version ranges.
< 1.4.11
>= 1.5.0, < 1.5.7
Fixed in 1.4.11 or 1.5.7, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- containerd · Debian:11
The same CVE-2021-41103 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
github.com/containerd/containerd is an open-source container runtime for Linux that provides a platform-agnostic API for container lifecycle management. It is widely used in various container orchestration systems and platforms. This vulnerability arises from insufficiently restricted permissions on plugin directories within containerd.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in github.com/containerd/containerd allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to plugin directories. This could lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The issue stems from improper permission settings on plugin directories, which can be exploited by an attacker with local access to the system. The vulnerability affects versions 0.x and 1.5.0 to 1.5.6 of containerd.
How To Fix
Latest published version: v1.7.36 as of 22 Oct 2026
go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.7.36Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 1.4.111.4.11go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.4.11 -
>= 1.5.0, < 1.5.71.5.7go get github.com/containerd/containerd@v1.5.7
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update to a patched version of containerd to address the issue.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in github.com/containerd/containerd arises from insufficiently restricted permissions on plugin directories. It is crucial for users to update to a patched version of containerd (1.5.7 or later) to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential exploitation.
See every vulnerability recorded for github.com/containerd/containerd →
FAQ
Containerd is an open-source container runtime for Linux that provides a platform-agnostic API for container lifecycle management. It is widely used in various container orchestration systems and platforms.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to plugin directories, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Users of containerd versions 0.x and 1.5.0 to 1.5.6 are affected by this vulnerability.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to update to a patched version of containerd.
To fix this vulnerability, update containerd to version 1.5.7 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly restrict permissions on plugin directories.
Related vulnerabilities
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