CVE-2024-11218 is a vulnerability discovered in the container build tools podman build and buildah, specifically triggered when using the --jobs=2 option during the build process with a maliciously crafted Containerfile. The root cause is an improper privilege management combined with a race condition that allows a container breakout, meaning that code or processes running inside the container build environment can escape containment and interact with the host system. This breakout can lead to unauthorized enumeration of files and directories on the host, even when SELinux is enabled, although SELinux may reduce the severity of the impact. The vulnerability affects versions 0, 1.35.0, 1.37.0, and 1.38.0 of these tools. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.6, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. While no public exploits are known, the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where untrusted Containerfiles are built or where multiple jobs are used concurrently in container builds. This can lead to full host compromise, data leakage, and disruption of containerized workflows.

For European organizations, especially those leveraging containerization for development, testing, and deployment, this vulnerability presents a serious risk. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to host files and directories, potentially exposing sensitive data or credentials stored on the host. It can also allow attackers to escalate privileges and disrupt containerized services or the underlying host system, impacting availability and integrity. Organizations running CI/CD pipelines or automated container builds with podman or buildah are particularly vulnerable if they allow untrusted Containerfiles or use the --jobs=2 option. The risk is heightened in environments with lax access controls or insufficient monitoring. This could affect sectors with high container adoption such as finance, manufacturing, and public services, leading to data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR.

1. Immediately update podman and buildah to versions where this vulnerability is patched once available. 2. Avoid using the --jobs=2 option in container builds until patches are applied, or restrict its use to trusted Containerfiles. 3. Enforce strict SELinux policies and verify their effectiveness in your environment, but do not rely solely on SELinux to mitigate this issue. 4. Implement rigorous validation and scanning of Containerfiles before build to detect malicious or malformed content. 5. Restrict build operations to trusted users and environments, minimizing local access to build hosts. 6. Monitor build logs and system calls during container builds for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Consider isolating build environments using additional sandboxing or virtualization layers to limit host exposure. 8. Educate developers and DevOps teams about the risks of untrusted Containerfiles and safe build practices.