CVE-2025-2713 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Google gVisor's runsc component. gVisor is a container runtime sandbox that provides an additional security layer by intercepting and managing system calls between containerized applications and the host kernel. The vulnerability arises from improper privilege management (CWE-269) during the initialization phase of the runsc process. Specifically, the runsc process starts with root-like privileges before the first fork operation, during which file access permissions are incorrectly handled. This flaw allows an unprivileged local user to access files that should be restricted, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure or further privilege escalation. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require local access with some privileges (PR:L) and partial authentication (AT:P). The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.8 (medium severity), reflecting a moderate risk due to the local attack vector and the need for some privileges to exploit. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. However, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used container sandboxing tool like gVisor could have significant implications for container security, especially in environments relying on gVisor for isolation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be substantial, particularly for those heavily utilizing containerized environments and cloud-native infrastructure where gVisor is deployed as a sandboxing layer. Exploitation could allow malicious insiders or compromised local accounts to escalate privileges and access sensitive files, potentially leading to data breaches or lateral movement within the network. This risk is heightened in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where unauthorized access to sensitive information can result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations relying on gVisor for multi-tenant isolation in shared environments could see cross-tenant data leakage or compromise. Although the vulnerability requires local access and some privileges, the complexity of container environments means that attackers who gain initial footholds could leverage this flaw to deepen their control, undermining the security benefits of container sandboxing.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor Google’s official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-2713 and apply them promptly once available. 2) Until patches are released, restrict local user access on hosts running gVisor, enforcing strict access controls and minimizing the number of users with any elevated privileges. 3) Implement robust container runtime security policies that limit the capabilities and permissions of container processes, reducing the risk that an attacker can exploit the initial root-like privileges of runsc. 4) Employ host-based intrusion detection and monitoring tools to detect anomalous file access patterns or privilege escalation attempts related to gVisor processes. 5) Conduct regular audits of container runtime configurations to ensure adherence to the principle of least privilege and verify that no unnecessary privileges are granted during container startup. 6) Consider alternative sandboxing or container isolation technologies if immediate patching is not feasible, especially in high-risk environments. These measures should be integrated into broader container security strategies to reduce the attack surface and improve detection capabilities.