CVE-2022-29162: Default inheritable capabilities for linux container should be empty in github.com/opencontainers/runc
Summary
CVE-2022-29162: Default inheritable capabilities for linux container should be empty in github.com/opencontainers/runc. Affects github.com/opencontainers/runc versions < 1.1.2. Fixed in 1.1.2. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- runc · Debian:11
The same CVE-2022-29162 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 a command-line tool for spawning and running containers according to the Open Container Initiative (OCI) specification. The package provides a runtime for creating and managing Linux containers. Containers are isolated environments that encapsulate applications and their dependencies, allowing for efficient and secure deployment. However, a vulnerability has been identified in the default inheritable capabilities for Linux containers in runc.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in github.com/opencontainers/runc arises from the default inheritable capabilities for Linux containers not being empty. Inheritable capabilities are a set of permissions that can be inherited by child processes. If the inheritable capabilities are not properly configured, it can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access within the container. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the host system. The vulnerability affects versions 0.0.0 up to and including 1.1.2 of the package.
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
1.1.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
go get github.com/opencontainers/runc@v1.1.2Tip — 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 update to the fixed version of the package to address the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the default inheritable capabilities for Linux containers in github.com/opencontainers/runc should be empty to prevent privilege escalation and unauthorized access. Users are advised to update to version 1.1.3 or later of the package to mitigate this vulnerability.
See every vulnerability recorded for github.com/opencontainers/runc →
FAQ
github.com/opencontainers/runc is a Go package that provides a runtime for creating and managing Linux containers according to the Open Container Initiative (OCI) specification.
Inheritable capabilities are a set of permissions that can be inherited by child processes within a container. They determine the privileges available to processes running within the container.
The vulnerability could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges within a container, potentially leading to unauthorized access and compromise of the host system.
Versions 0.0.0 up to and including 1.1.2 of github.com/opencontainers/runc are affected by this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update to version 1.1.3 or later of github.com/opencontainers/runc.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for github.com/opencontainers/runc.
