# Cis Docker V170 3.23

> Ensure that the Containerd socket file ownership is set to root:root

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-docker-v170-3-23` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-docker-v170-3-23`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-docker-v170-3-23/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-docker-v170-3-23

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# CIS Docker Benchmark v1.7.0 - Control 3.23

## Description

You should verify that the Containerd socket file is owned by `root` and group owned by `root`.

## Rationale

Containerd is an underlying component used by Docker to create and manage containers. It provides a socket file similar to the Docker socket, which must be protected from unauthorized access. If any other user or process owns this socket, it might be possible for that non-privileged user or process to interact with the Containerd daemon. Additionally, in this case a non-privileged user or process might be able to interact with containers which is neither a secure nor desired behavior.

Unlike the Docker socket, there is usually no requirement for non-privileged users to connect to the socket, so the ownership should be root:root.

## Impact

None.

## Audit Procedure

You should execute the below command to verify that the Containerd socket file is owned by `root` and group owned by `root`:

```bash
stat -c %U:%G /run/containerd/containerd.sock | grep -v root:root
```

The command above should return no results.

## Remediation

You should execute the following command:

```bash
chown root:root /run/containerd/containerd.sock
```

This sets the ownership to `root` and group ownership to `root` for the default Containerd socket file.

## Default Value

By default, the ownership and group ownership for the Containerd socket file is correctly set to `root:root`.

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts<br>Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account. | ●    | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 4 Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges<br>Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |      |      |      |

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Docker - Linux

## Assessment Status

Automated