Answer in brief
CVE-2023-25173 records a Medium severity (CVSS 5.3) vulnerability in Supplementary groups are not set up properly in github.com/containerd/containerd. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. The current feed maps github.com/containerd/containerd (go), github.com/containerd/containerd (go). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.
Analysis pending evidence review
HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.
CVSS is 5.3. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.
Analysis status
Analysis pending evidence review
Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.
The current feed maps github.com/containerd/containerd (go), github.com/containerd/containerd (go). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.
| Package | Affected range | Fixed version |
|---|---|---|
| github.com/containerd/containerdgo | >=0 <1.5.18 | 1.5.18 |
| github.com/containerd/containerdgo | >=1.6.0 <1.6.18 | 1.6.18 |
Published upstream
Feb 16, 2023
Evidence: source:osv:source_dates:source-dates:recordSource modified
Sep 10, 2026
Evidence: source:osv:source_dates:source-dates:recordFirst seen by HOL
Sep 10, 2026
### Impact A bug was found in containerd where supplementary groups are not set up properly inside a container. If an attacker has direct access to a container and manipulates their supplementary group access, they may be able to use supplementary group access to bypass primary group restrictions in some cases, potentially gaining access to sensitive information or gaining the ability to execute code in that container. Downstream applications that use the containerd client library may be affected as well. ### Patches This bug has been fixed in containerd v1.6.18 and v.1.5.18. Users should update to these versions and recreate containers to resolve this issue. Users who rely on a downstream application that uses containerd's client library should check that application for a separate advisory and instructions. ### Workarounds Ensure that the `"USER $USERNAME"` Dockerfile instruction is not used. Instead, set the container entrypoint to a value similar to `ENTRYPOINT ["su", "-", "user"]` to allow `su` to properly set up supplementary groups. ### References - https://www.benthamsgaze.org/2022/08/22/vulnerability-in-linux-containers-investigation-and-mitigation/ - Docker/Moby: CVE-2022-36109, fixed in Docker 20.10.18 - CRI-O: CVE-2022-2995, fixed in CRI-O 1.25.0 - Podman: CVE-2022-2989, fixed in Podman 3.0.1 and 4.2.0 - Buildah: CVE-2022-2990, fixed in Buildah 1.27.1 Note that CVE IDs apply to a particular implementation, even if an issue is common. ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [containerd](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/issues/new/choose) * Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) To report a security issue in containerd: * [Report a new vulnerability](https://github.com/containerd/containerd/security/advisories/new) * Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.