CVE-2026-78408

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.

Affected versions: util-linux v2.40 through v2.42.2. The --join-cgroup option was introduced in v2.40; earlier releases (including util-linux 2.38) are not affected. Fixed in v2.41.6 and v2.42.3.

The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.

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.