CVE-2019-16884: Incorrect Authorization in runc
Summary
CVE-2019-16884: Authorization bypass in github.com/opencontainers/runc. Affects github.com/opencontainers/runc versions < 1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932. Fixed in 1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- golang-github-opencontainers-selinux · Debian:11
The same CVE-2019-16884 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
The package under scrutiny is github.com/opencontainers/runc, which is written in Go. It is used in various products, including Docker. Runc is responsible for spawning and running containers on Linux systems. It provides an interface for managing container lifecycles, including creating, starting, stopping, and deleting containers. This vulnerability affects runc versions up to and including 1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2019-16884, allows for incorrect authorization in runc. The issue arises due to a flaw in the libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go file, which fails to properly check mount targets. As a result, a malicious Docker image can mount over a /proc directory, bypassing AppArmor restrictions. This vulnerability has a CVSSv3 score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Latest published version: v1.5.2 as of 22 Oct 2026
go get github.com/opencontainers/runc@v1.5.2Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932
This is the first release that contains the fix.
go get github.com/opencontainers/runc@v1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to apply the recommended fix by updating the affected package.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability CVE-2019-16884 in runc allows for incorrect authorization, enabling a malicious Docker image to bypass AppArmor restrictions. To address this issue, it is essential to update the affected package to version 1.0.0-rc8.0.20190930145003-cad42f6e0932 or later. It is also recommended to update any other products or dependencies that rely on runc. For further support and assistance with vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for github.com/opencontainers/runc →
FAQ
Runc is a command-line tool and library for spawning and running containers on Linux systems. It is widely used in containerization platforms like Docker.
AppArmor is a Linux kernel security module that allows for fine-grained control over processes' capabilities and resource access. It is used to enforce security policies on containerized applications.
Since Docker relies on runc for container management, this vulnerability allows a malicious Docker image to bypass AppArmor restrictions and mount over critical directories, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.
The CVSSv3 score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits specifically targeting this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the recommended fix to mitigate any potential risks.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for github.com/opencontainers/runc.
