Container-native-virtualization: privilege escalation via excessive /etc/passwd permissions
Published Oct 23, 2025 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Original summary
Normalized public record · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Container-native-virtualization: privilege escalation via excessive /etc/passwd permissions
Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.
QFinch assessment
A container privilege escalation flaw was found in certain Container-native Virtualization images. This issue stems from the /etc/passwd file being created with group-writable permissions during build time. In certain conditions, an attacker who can execute commands within an affected container, even as a non-root user, can leverage their membership in the root group to modify the /etc/passwd file. This could allow the attacker to add a new user with any arbitrary UID, including UID 0, leading to full root privileges within the container.
Evidence: public source recordsAffected products
| Affected package, product or range | Fix status |
|---|---|
| Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions. | Consult source advisory |
Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.
Remediation
Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.
- Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
- Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
- Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Evidence coverage
- SSVC priority
- LOW
- Confidence
- Not available
- Aliases
- None reported
Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.
Sources and record history
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- bugzilla.redhat.com ↗
Record history
Published Oct 23, 2025 · Last refreshed Nov 3, 2026