CVE-2021-32635
mediumpriority · track · 25EPSS 0.014 · 73 %ileEURUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
Singularity is an open source container platform. In verions 3.7.2 and 3.7.3, Dde to incorrect use of a default URL, `singularity` action commands (`run`/`shell`/`exec`) specifying a container using a `library://` URI will always attempt to retrieve the container from the default remote endpoint (`cloud.sylabs.io`) rather than the configured remote endpoint. An attacker may be able to push a malicious container to the default remote endpoint with a URI that is identical to the URI used by a victim with a non-default remote endpoint, thus executing the malicious container. Only action commands (`run`/`shell`/`exec`) against `library://` URIs are affected. Other commands such as `pull` / `push` respect the configured remote endpoint. The vulnerability is patched in Singularity version 3.7.4. Two possible workarounds exist: Users can only interact with the default remote endpoint, or an installation can have an execution control list configured to restrict execution to containers signed with specific secure keys.
cvss
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base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode
weaknesses
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affected products (8)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (1)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- GHSA-5mv9-q7fq-9394Action Commands (run/shell/exec) Against Library URIs Ignore Configured Remote Endpoint2021-06-01ghsa · osvUS
### Impact Due to incorrect use of a default URL, `singularity` action commands (`run`/`shell`/`exec`) specifying a container using a `library://` URI will always attempt to retrieve the container from the default remote endpoint (`cloud.sylabs.io`) rather than the configured remote endpoint. An attacker may be able to push a malicious container to the default remote endpoint with a URI that is identical to the URI used by a victim with a non-default remote endpoint, thus executing the malicious container. Only action commands (`run`/`shell`/`exec`) against `library://` URIs are affected. Other commands such as `pull` / `push` respect the configured remote endpoint. ### Patches All users should upgrade to Singularity 3.7.4 or later. A patch was applied at: https://github.com/sylabs/singularity/commit/d52ae9d13979733c5e987a566fae59ed6f1bf796 ### Workarounds Users who only interact with the default remote endpoint are not affected. Installations with an execution control list configured to restrict execution to containers signed with specific secure keys are not affected. ### For more information General questions about the impact of the advisory can be asked in the: - [SingularityCE Slack Channel](https://singularityce.slack.com) - [SingularityCE Mailing List](https://groups.google.com/g/singularity-ce) Any sensitive security concerns should be directed to: security@sylabs.io See our Security Policy here: https://sylabs.io/security-policy
also known as (4)
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sources
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references (15)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/hpcng/singularity/releasesPatchcnnvd
- https://github.com/sylabs/singularity/releases/tag/v3.7.4cnnvd
- https://github.com/sylabs/singularity/security/advisories/GHSA-5mv9-q7fq-9394cnnvd
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32635cnnvd
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163628/Gentoo-Linux-Security-Advisory-202107-50.htmlcnnvd
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-50cnnvd
- https://vigilance.fr/vulnerability/Singularity-privilege-escalation-via-Action-Commands-Library-URI-35621cnnvd
- https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2021052722cnnvd
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