Environment variables still accessible through /proc
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-200.
Summary
### Impact Environment variables can be read from procfs unless a new process is started. ### PoC ``` use birdcage::{Birdcage, Sandbox}; use std::{env, fs}; fn main() { Birdcage::new().lock().unwrap(); assert_eq!(env::var_os("SECRET"), None); let environ = fs::read_to_string("/proc/self/environ").unwrap(); assert!(!environ.contains("SECRET"), "ENVIRON CONTAINS SECRET:\n{environ}"); } ``` ``` $ SECRET=test cargo run thread 'main' panicked at src/main.rs:10:5: ENVIRON CONTAINS SECRET: [truncated] ``` ### Possible Solutions The simplest solution would be relying on the ptrace isolation and **always** spawning a new process by changing birdcage's API to create a new command. With an additional PID namespace the guarantees could be even further reinforced.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | birdcage (crates.io) | before 0.7.0 | 0.7.0 | Patch available | GHSA-wj7f-468m-6mv8 |
- birdcage (crates.io) Vendor— Affected before 0.7.0 Fixed in 0.7.0 Patch available GHSA-wj7f-468m-6mv8
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-wj7f-468m-6mv8 birdcage (crates.io) Fixed in 0.7.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-wj7f-468m-6mv8
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences