CVE-2017-20198
CVE-2017-20198 is a critical-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 4.0 base score 9.3)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (51st percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2017-18916
- Weakness: CWE-732
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The Marathon UI in DC/OS < 1.9.0 allows unauthenticated users to deploy arbitrary Docker containers. Due to improper restriction of volume mount configurations, attackers can deploy a container that mounts the host's root filesystem (/) with read/write privileges. When using a malicious Docker image, the attacker can write to /etc/cron.d/ on the host, achieving arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This impacts any system where the Docker daemon honors Marathon container configurations without policy enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-20198?
- The Marathon UI in DC/OS < 1.9.0 allows unauthenticated users to deploy arbitrary Docker containers. Due to improper restriction of volume mount configurations, attackers can deploy a container that mounts the host's root filesystem (/) with read/write privileges. When using a malicious Docker image, the attacker can write to /etc/cron.d/ on the host, achieving arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This impacts any system where the Docker daemon honors Marathon container configurations without policy enforcement.
- How severe is CVE-2017-20198?
- CVE-2017-20198 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
- Is CVE-2017-20198 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (51st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-20198?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2017-20198 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2017-20198 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2017-18916.
- When was CVE-2017-20198 published?
- CVE-2017-20198 was published on 2025-07-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://dcos.io/
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/dcos_marathon.rb
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230609134421/https://warroom.rsmus.com/dcos-marathon-compromise/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42134
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/dcos-marathon-docker-mount-abuse-rce
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