# CVE-2021-33638: Run copy with container in a malicious directory may cause container escaping

> An attacker controlling a container can escape to the host by manipulating the directory during a file copy operation using iSulad.

- **Severity:** High 8.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 29 Oct 2023
- **Updated:** 9 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6qw3-w6wv-8fgg

## What is CVE-2021-33638?

CVE-2021-33638 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in openEuler iSulad, published on 29 Oct 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

When the isula cp command is used to copy files from a container to a host machine and the container is controlled by an attacker, the attacker can escape the container.

Weakness: CWE-665 (Improper Initialization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-33638?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Openeuler Isula.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-33638?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2021-33638 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-33638 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in openEuler iSulad

- [CVE-2021-33635](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33635/): Pull malicious images may cause process to be hijacked (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-33636](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33636/): Load malicious images may cause process to be hijacked (high 8.4)
- [CVE-2021-33637](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33637/): Export container in a malicious directory may cause process to be hijacked (high 8.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-33638 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-33638 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in openEuler iSulad, published on 29 Oct 2023. 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-2021-33638 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: openEuler iSulad. 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-2021-33638/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33638/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-33638
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-33638
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-33638

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33638/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.