CVE-2026-78408

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

Published Sep 2, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.9 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

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.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat cost Management On Premise
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:cost_management_on_premise:1::el10
Vendors & Products Redhat cost Management On Premise
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Els
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10 cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:5
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Linux
Linux util-linux
Redhat hardened Images
Redhat openshift Container Platform
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux util-linux
Redhat hardened Images
Redhat openshift Container Platform
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title Util-linux: util-linux: nsenter --join-cgroup leaks root cgroup migration authority
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
Weaknesses CWE-775
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:hummingbird:1
cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 5, 2026, 2:43 AM
Reserved
Aug 24, 2026, 2:40 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 2, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Nov 5, 2026, 3:17 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Sep 2, 2026, 12:00 AM