CVE-2026-78408 PUBLISHED

Util-linux: util-linux: nsenter --join-cgroup leaks root cgroup migration authority

Assigner: redhat
Reserved: 24.08.2026 Published: 02.09.2026 Updated: 02.09.2026

The nsenter --join-cgroup option opens the target cgroup.procs file as root and leaves that file descriptor open across later namespace and credential changes and across execve(). Because the kernel checks later cgroup migrations using the credentials from the original open, a program run in an attacker-controlled target can inherit root's ability to move host processes between cgroups. After a privileged operator uses --join-cgroup against that target, an unprivileged user can migrate and terminate unrelated root processes.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H
CVSS Score: 7.9

Product Status

Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Versions Default: unaffected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Versions Default: unaffected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Versions Default: unaffected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Versions Default: unaffected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Versions Default: unaffected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat Hardened Images
Versions Default: affected
Vendor Red Hat
Product Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Versions Default: unaffected

Workarounds

Upgrade to util-linux v2.41.6, v2.42.3, or later. Until a fix is applied, do not run nsenter --join-cgroup (including nsenter --target PID --all --join-cgroup) against untrusted processes or namespaces. The fix closes the cgroup.procs descriptor immediately after joining, and opens it with O_CLOEXEC.

Credits

  • Red Hat would like to thank Andreas Gabriel Berbescu (Independent Security Researcher) for reporting this issue.

References

Problem Types

  • Missing Release of File Descriptor or Handle after Effective Lifetime CWE