---
title: Containers should use the cgroup configured in Docker
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Containers should use the cgroup
  configured in Docker
---

# Containers should use the cgroup configured in Docker
Classification:complianceFramework:cis-dockerControl:5.24 
## Description{% #description %}

It is possible to attach to a particular `cgroup` when a container is instantiated. Confirming `cgroup` usage would ensure that containers are running in defined `cgroup`s.

## Rationale{% #rationale %}

System administrators typically define `cgroup`s in which containers are supposed to run. If `cgroup`s are not explicitly defined by the system administrator, containers run in the docker `cgroup` by default. At run time, it is possible to attach a container to a different `cgroup` other than the one originally defined. This usage should be monitored and confirmed, as by attaching to a different `cgroup`, excess permissions and resources might be granted to the container and this can therefore prove to be a security risk.

## Audit{% #audit %}

Run this command: `docker ps --quiet --all | xargs docker inspect --format '{{ .Id }}: CgroupParent={{ .HostConfig.CgroupParent }}'`

This command returns the cgroup where the containers are running. If it is blank, it means that containers are running under the default docker cgroup. Any other return value indicates that the system is not configured in line with good security practice.

## Remediation{% #remediation %}

You should not use the `--cgroup-parent` option within the docker run command unless strictly required.

## Impact{% #impact %}

None.

## Default value{% #default-value %}

By default, containers run under docker `cgroup`.

## References{% #references %}

1. [https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/run/#specify-custom-cgroups](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/run/#specify-custom-cgroups)
1. [https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-US/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux/6/html/Resource_Management_Guide/ch01.html](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-US/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux/6/html/Resource_Management_Guide/ch01.html)

## CIS controls{% #cis-controls %}

Version 6

18 Application Software Security Application Software Security

## Audit{% #audit-1 %}

You should run the following command: docker ps –quiet –all | xargs docker inspect –format '{{ .Id }}: CgroupParent={{ .HostConfig.CgroupParent }}' The above command returns the cgroup where the containers are running. If it is blank, it means that containers are running under the default docker cgroup. Any other return value indicates that the system is not configured in line with good security practice.