Unsigned code execution via Linux namespaces
Published Mar 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
Unsigned code execution in Microsoft Azure Sphere 21.01 allows local users to run arbitrary binaries through Linux namespaces. The kernel permits an unprivileged process to create user and mount namespaces, then either execute a binary from a writable tmpfs mount or use namespace-granted CAP_SYS_PTRACE to overwrite a child process's executable memory. The attacker must already execute code on an Azure Sphere device; the bypass defeats signed-code enforcement without reported confidentiality or availability impact.
Summary
What happened
Unsigned code execution in Microsoft Azure Sphere 21.01 allows local users to run arbitrary binaries through Linux namespaces. The kernel permits an unprivileged process to create user and mount namespaces, then either execute a binary from a writable tmpfs mount or use namespace-granted CAP_SYS_PTRACE to overwrite a child process's executable memory. The attacker must already execute code on an Azure Sphere device; the bypass defeats signed-code enforcement without reported confidentiality or availability impact.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-27074
- Published
- Mar 11, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Azure Sphere
- Classifications
- CWE-284, T1055.008
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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- Affected versionversion=-
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
- Azure Sphere mount-namespace unsigned-code execution demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
- Azure Sphere namespace-ptrace unsigned-code execution demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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