# CVE-2020-14298: Privilege escalation in Docker

> A malicious container can escape to the host and compromise other containers due to an outdated runc version in specific Docker releases.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Jul 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vqjv-866h-qv94

## What is CVE-2020-14298?

CVE-2020-14298 is a high-severity vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, published on 13 Jul 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The version of docker as released for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras via RHBA-2020:0053 advisory included an incorrect version of runc missing the fix for CVE-2019-5736, which was previously fixed via RHSA-2019:0304. This issue could allow a malicious or compromised container to compromise the container host and other containers running on the same host. This issue only affects docker version 1.13.1-108.git4ef4b30.el7, shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extras. Both earlier and later versions are not affected.

Weakness: CWE-273 (Improper Check for Dropped Privileges)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-14298?

It affects 3 products.


Products: Docker Docker, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Openshift Container Platform.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-14298?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2020-14298 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-14298 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Redhat Enterprise Linux Server

- [CVE-2014-9357](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-9357/): Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2020-14300](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14300/): Privilege escalation in Docker (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-15514](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-15514/): Deserialization in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2014-9356](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-9356/): Path Traversal in Docker (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2019-13139](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-13139/): Command injection in n/a (high 8.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-14298 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-14298 is a high-severity vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, published on 13 Jul 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-14298 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Redhat Enterprise Linux Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14298/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14298/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-14298
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-14298
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-14298

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14298/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.