Allow 'runsc do' to run without root

'--rootless' flag lets a non-root user execute 'runsc do'.
The drawback is that the sandbox and gofer processes will
run as root inside a user namespace that is mapped to the
caller's user, intead of nobody. And network is defaulted
to '--network=host' inside the root network namespace. On
the bright side, it's very convenient for testing:

runsc --rootless do ls
runsc --rootless do curl www.google.com

PiperOrigin-RevId: 252840970

runsc/boot/config.go

@@ -226,6 +226,12 @@ type Config struct {
 	// to the same underlying network device. This allows netstack to better
 	// scale for high throughput use cases.
 	NumNetworkChannels int
+
+	// Rootless allows the sandbox to be started with a user that is not root.
+	// Defense is depth measures are weaker with rootless. Specifically, the
+	// sandbox and Gofer process run as root inside a user namespace with root
+	// mapped to the caller's user.
+	Rootless bool
 }
 
 // ToFlags returns a slice of flags that correspond to the given Config.
@@ -250,6 +256,7 @@ func (c *Config) ToFlags() []string {
 		"--profile=" + strconv.FormatBool(c.ProfileEnable),
 		"--net-raw=" + strconv.FormatBool(c.EnableRaw),
 		"--num-network-channels=" + strconv.Itoa(c.NumNetworkChannels),
+		"--rootless=" + strconv.FormatBool(c.Rootless),
 	}
 	if c.TestOnlyAllowRunAsCurrentUserWithoutChroot {
 		// Only include if set since it is never to be used by users.

runsc/cmd/boot.go

@@ -130,6 +130,8 @@ func (b *Boot) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{})
 	// Ensure that if there is a panic, all goroutine stacks are printed.
 	debug.SetTraceback("all")
 
+	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
+
 	if b.setUpRoot {
 		if err := setUpChroot(b.pidns); err != nil {
 			Fatalf("error setting up chroot: %v", err)
@@ -143,14 +145,16 @@ func (b *Boot) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{})
 					args = append(args, arg)
 				}
 			}
-			// Note that we've already read the spec from the spec FD, and
-			// we will read it again after the exec call. This works
-			// because the ReadSpecFromFile function seeks to the beginning
-			// of the file before reading.
-			if err := callSelfAsNobody(args); err != nil {
-				Fatalf("%v", err)
+			if !conf.Rootless {
+				// Note that we've already read the spec from the spec FD, and
+				// we will read it again after the exec call. This works
+				// because the ReadSpecFromFile function seeks to the beginning
+				// of the file before reading.
+				if err := callSelfAsNobody(args); err != nil {
+					Fatalf("%v", err)
+				}
+				panic("callSelfAsNobody must never return success")
 			}
-			panic("callSelfAsNobody must never return success")
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -163,9 +167,6 @@ func (b *Boot) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{})
 	}
 	specutils.LogSpec(spec)
 
-	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
-	waitStatus := args[1].(*syscall.WaitStatus)
-
 	if b.applyCaps {
 		caps := spec.Process.Capabilities
 		if caps == nil {
@@ -251,6 +252,7 @@ func (b *Boot) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{})
 
 	ws := l.WaitExit()
 	log.Infof("application exiting with %+v", ws)
+	waitStatus := args[1].(*syscall.WaitStatus)
 	*waitStatus = syscall.WaitStatus(ws.Status())
 	l.Destroy()
 	return subcommands.ExitSuccess

runsc/cmd/capability_test.go

@@ -116,6 +116,6 @@ func TestCapabilities(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
-	testutil.RunAsRoot()
+	specutils.MaybeRunAsRoot()
 	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }

runsc/cmd/create.go

@@ -82,21 +82,25 @@ func (c *Create) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{}
 	id := f.Arg(0)
 	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
 
+	if conf.Rootless {
+		return Errorf("Rootless mode not supported with %q", c.Name())
+	}
+
 	bundleDir := c.bundleDir
 	if bundleDir == "" {
 		bundleDir = getwdOrDie()
 	}
 	spec, err := specutils.ReadSpec(bundleDir)
 	if err != nil {
-		Fatalf("reading spec: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("reading spec: %v", err)
 	}
 	specutils.LogSpec(spec)
 
 	// Create the container. A new sandbox will be created for the
 	// container unless the metadata specifies that it should be run in an
 	// existing container.
 	if _, err := container.Create(id, spec, conf, bundleDir, c.consoleSocket, c.pidFile, c.userLog); err != nil {
-		Fatalf("creating container: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("creating container: %v", err)
 	}
 	return subcommands.ExitSuccess
 }

runsc/cmd/do.go

@@ -39,10 +39,9 @@ import (
 // Do implements subcommands.Command for the "do" command. It sets up a simple
 // sandbox and executes the command inside it. See Usage() for more details.
 type Do struct {
-	root             string
-	cwd              string
-	ip               string
-	networkNamespace bool
+	root string
+	cwd  string
+	ip   string
 }
 
 // Name implements subcommands.Command.Name.
@@ -72,7 +71,6 @@ func (c *Do) SetFlags(f *flag.FlagSet) {
 	f.StringVar(&c.root, "root", "/", `path to the root directory, defaults to "/"`)
 	f.StringVar(&c.cwd, "cwd", ".", "path to the current directory, defaults to the current directory")
 	f.StringVar(&c.ip, "ip", "192.168.10.2", "IPv4 address for the sandbox")
-	f.BoolVar(&c.networkNamespace, "netns", true, "run in a new network namespace")
 }
 
 // Execute implements subcommands.Command.Execute.
@@ -85,15 +83,21 @@ func (c *Do) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{}) su
 	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
 	waitStatus := args[1].(*syscall.WaitStatus)
 
-	// Map the entire host file system, but make it readonly with a writable
-	// overlay on top (ignore --overlay option).
-	conf.Overlay = true
+	if conf.Rootless {
+		if err := specutils.MaybeRunAsRoot(); err != nil {
+			return Errorf("Error executing inside namespace: %v", err)
+		}
+		// Execution will continue here if no more capabilities are needed...
+	}
 
 	hostname, err := os.Hostname()
 	if err != nil {
 		return Errorf("Error to retrieve hostname: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	// Map the entire host file system, but make it readonly with a writable
+	// overlay on top (ignore --overlay option).
+	conf.Overlay = true
 	absRoot, err := resolvePath(c.root)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Errorf("Error resolving root: %v", err)
@@ -119,11 +123,22 @@ func (c *Do) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{}) su
 	specutils.LogSpec(spec)
 
 	cid := fmt.Sprintf("runsc-%06d", rand.Int31n(1000000))
-	if !c.networkNamespace {
-		if conf.Network != boot.NetworkHost {
-			Fatalf("The current network namespace can be used only if --network=host is set", nil)
+	if conf.Network == boot.NetworkNone {
+		netns := specs.LinuxNamespace{
+			Type: specs.NetworkNamespace,
+		}
+		if spec.Linux != nil {
+			panic("spec.Linux is not nil")
 		}
-	} else if conf.Network != boot.NetworkNone {
+		spec.Linux = &specs.Linux{Namespaces: []specs.LinuxNamespace{netns}}
+
+	} else if conf.Rootless {
+		if conf.Network == boot.NetworkSandbox {
+			fmt.Println("*** Rootless requires changing network type to host ***")
+			conf.Network = boot.NetworkHost
+		}
+
+	} else {
 		clean, err := c.setupNet(cid, spec)
 		if err != nil {
 			return Errorf("Error setting up network: %v", err)

runsc/cmd/restore.go

@@ -80,25 +80,29 @@ func (r *Restore) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{
 	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
 	waitStatus := args[1].(*syscall.WaitStatus)
 
+	if conf.Rootless {
+		return Errorf("Rootless mode not supported with %q", r.Name())
+	}
+
 	bundleDir := r.bundleDir
 	if bundleDir == "" {
 		bundleDir = getwdOrDie()
 	}
 	spec, err := specutils.ReadSpec(bundleDir)
 	if err != nil {
-		Fatalf("reading spec: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("reading spec: %v", err)
 	}
 	specutils.LogSpec(spec)
 
 	if r.imagePath == "" {
-		Fatalf("image-path flag must be provided")
+		return Errorf("image-path flag must be provided")
 	}
 
 	conf.RestoreFile = filepath.Join(r.imagePath, checkpointFileName)
 
 	ws, err := container.Run(id, spec, conf, bundleDir, r.consoleSocket, r.pidFile, r.userLog, r.detach)
 	if err != nil {
-		Fatalf("running container: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("running container: %v", err)
 	}
 	*waitStatus = ws
 

runsc/cmd/run.go

@@ -67,19 +67,23 @@ func (r *Run) Execute(_ context.Context, f *flag.FlagSet, args ...interface{}) s
 	conf := args[0].(*boot.Config)
 	waitStatus := args[1].(*syscall.WaitStatus)
 
+	if conf.Rootless {
+		return Errorf("Rootless mode not supported with %q", r.Name())
+	}
+
 	bundleDir := r.bundleDir
 	if bundleDir == "" {
 		bundleDir = getwdOrDie()
 	}
 	spec, err := specutils.ReadSpec(bundleDir)
 	if err != nil {
-		Fatalf("reading spec: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("reading spec: %v", err)
 	}
 	specutils.LogSpec(spec)
 
 	ws, err := container.Run(id, spec, conf, bundleDir, r.consoleSocket, r.pidFile, r.userLog, r.detach)
 	if err != nil {
-		Fatalf("running container: %v", err)
+		return Errorf("running container: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	*waitStatus = ws

runsc/container/container_test.go

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import (
 	"gvisor.googlesource.com/gvisor/pkg/sentry/control"
 	"gvisor.googlesource.com/gvisor/pkg/sentry/kernel/auth"
 	"gvisor.googlesource.com/gvisor/runsc/boot"
+	"gvisor.googlesource.com/gvisor/runsc/specutils"
 	"gvisor.googlesource.com/gvisor/runsc/test/testutil"
 )
 
@@ -1853,7 +1854,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	if err := testutil.ConfigureExePath(); err != nil {
 		panic(err.Error())
 	}
-	testutil.RunAsRoot()
+	specutils.MaybeRunAsRoot()
 
 	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }

runsc/main.go

@@ -61,16 +61,19 @@ var (
 	straceLogSize  = flag.Uint("strace-log-size", 1024, "default size (in bytes) to log data argument blobs")
 
 	// Flags that control sandbox runtime behavior.
-	platform                                   = flag.String("platform", "ptrace", "specifies which platform to use: ptrace (default), kvm")
-	network                                    = flag.String("network", "sandbox", "specifies which network to use: sandbox (default), host, none. Using network inside the sandbox is more secure because it's isolated from the host network.")
-	gso                                        = flag.Bool("gso", true, "enable generic segmenation offload")
-	fileAccess                                 = flag.String("file-access", "exclusive", "specifies which filesystem to use for the root mount: exclusive (default), shared. Volume mounts are always shared.")
-	overlay                                    = flag.Bool("overlay", false, "wrap filesystem mounts with writable overlay. All modifications are stored in memory inside the sandbox.")
-	watchdogAction                             = flag.String("watchdog-action", "log", "sets what action the watchdog takes when triggered: log (default), panic.")
-	panicSignal                                = flag.Int("panic-signal", -1, "register signal handling that panics. Usually set to SIGUSR2(12) to troubleshoot hangs. -1 disables it.")
-	profile                                    = flag.Bool("profile", false, "prepares the sandbox to use Golang profiler. Note that enabling profiler loosens the seccomp protection added to the sandbox (DO NOT USE IN PRODUCTION).")
-	netRaw                                     = flag.Bool("net-raw", false, "enable raw sockets. When false, raw sockets are disabled by removing CAP_NET_RAW from containers (`runsc exec` will still be able to utilize raw sockets). Raw sockets allow malicious containers to craft packets and potentially attack the network.")
-	numNetworkChannels                         = flag.Int("num-network-channels", 1, "number of underlying channels(FDs) to use for network link endpoints.")
+	platform           = flag.String("platform", "ptrace", "specifies which platform to use: ptrace (default), kvm")
+	network            = flag.String("network", "sandbox", "specifies which network to use: sandbox (default), host, none. Using network inside the sandbox is more secure because it's isolated from the host network.")
+	gso                = flag.Bool("gso", true, "enable generic segmenation offload")
+	fileAccess         = flag.String("file-access", "exclusive", "specifies which filesystem to use for the root mount: exclusive (default), shared. Volume mounts are always shared.")
+	overlay            = flag.Bool("overlay", false, "wrap filesystem mounts with writable overlay. All modifications are stored in memory inside the sandbox.")
+	watchdogAction     = flag.String("watchdog-action", "log", "sets what action the watchdog takes when triggered: log (default), panic.")
+	panicSignal        = flag.Int("panic-signal", -1, "register signal handling that panics. Usually set to SIGUSR2(12) to troubleshoot hangs. -1 disables it.")
+	profile            = flag.Bool("profile", false, "prepares the sandbox to use Golang profiler. Note that enabling profiler loosens the seccomp protection added to the sandbox (DO NOT USE IN PRODUCTION).")
+	netRaw             = flag.Bool("net-raw", false, "enable raw sockets. When false, raw sockets are disabled by removing CAP_NET_RAW from containers (`runsc exec` will still be able to utilize raw sockets). Raw sockets allow malicious containers to craft packets and potentially attack the network.")
+	numNetworkChannels = flag.Int("num-network-channels", 1, "number of underlying channels(FDs) to use for network link endpoints.")
+	rootless           = flag.Bool("rootless", false, "it allows the sandbox to be started with a user that is not root. Sandbox and Gofer processes may run with same privileges as current user.")
+
+	// Test flags, not to be used outside tests, ever.
 	testOnlyAllowRunAsCurrentUserWithoutChroot = flag.Bool("TESTONLY-unsafe-nonroot", false, "TEST ONLY; do not ever use! This skips many security measures that isolate the host from the sandbox.")
 )
 
@@ -166,26 +169,28 @@ func main() {
 
 	// Create a new Config from the flags.
 	conf := &boot.Config{
-		RootDir:        *rootDir,
-		Debug:          *debug,
-		LogFilename:    *logFilename,
-		LogFormat:      *logFormat,
-		DebugLog:       *debugLog,
-		DebugLogFormat: *debugLogFormat,
-		FileAccess:     fsAccess,
-		Overlay:        *overlay,
-		Network:        netType,
-		GSO:            *gso,
-		LogPackets:     *logPackets,
-		Platform:       platformType,
-		Strace:         *strace,
-		StraceLogSize:  *straceLogSize,
-		WatchdogAction: wa,
-		PanicSignal:    *panicSignal,
-		ProfileEnable:  *profile,
-		EnableRaw:      *netRaw,
+		RootDir:            *rootDir,
+		Debug:              *debug,
+		LogFilename:        *logFilename,
+		LogFormat:          *logFormat,
+		DebugLog:           *debugLog,
+		DebugLogFormat:     *debugLogFormat,
+		FileAccess:         fsAccess,
+		Overlay:            *overlay,
+		Network:            netType,
+		GSO:                *gso,
+		LogPackets:         *logPackets,
+		Platform:           platformType,
+		Strace:             *strace,
+		StraceLogSize:      *straceLogSize,
+		WatchdogAction:     wa,
+		PanicSignal:        *panicSignal,
+		ProfileEnable:      *profile,
+		EnableRaw:          *netRaw,
+		NumNetworkChannels: *numNetworkChannels,
+		Rootless:           *rootless,
+
 		TestOnlyAllowRunAsCurrentUserWithoutChroot: *testOnlyAllowRunAsCurrentUserWithoutChroot,
-		NumNetworkChannels:                         *numNetworkChannels,
 	}
 	if len(*straceSyscalls) != 0 {
 		conf.StraceSyscalls = strings.Split(*straceSyscalls, ",")