Abstract: A global zone executing on a host OS that includes a multilevel filesystem (MLFS) associated with a label range, where the MLFS includes files and directories, where each of the files is associated with its own label and where each of the directories is associated with its own label. The global zone further includes a first non-global zone, where the MLFS is mounted in the first non-global zone as a first loopback file system. The host OS is configured to receive, from a process executing on the host OS, a request to access a first file in the MLFS, make a first determination that a process label dominates a first file label, based on the first determination, make a second determination that the first file label is equal to the process label, and in response to the second determination, provide read and write access to the first file.

Abstract: A secure windowing service is disclosed. When the windowing service receives an indication that a second client (executing in a second container) wishes to be given access to a set of windowing information provided by a first client (executing in a first container), the windowing service determines, based upon sensitivity labels associated with the first and second containers, whether the second client should be given access to the windowing information provided by the first client. By making this determination, the windowing service in effect implements information access control. This information access control helps to ensure that windowing information is not improperly passed from container to container.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a network address to be shared by multiple containers. By allowing multiple containers to share a network address, a limit on network addresses does not limit the number of containers that can be implemented. Despite the fact that the network address is shared by multiple containers, the uniqueness and isolation of each container is still maintained. In one implementation, this is achieved by associating a unique label with each container. With this unique label, it is possible to forward a packet destined for the shared network address to a specific container despite the fact that multiple containers share the same network address. Thus, with this mechanism, it is possible to achieve container isolation and uniqueness without limiting container scalability.

Abstract: A system including a processor and a host operating system (OS) executing on the processor. The Host OS including a global zone, a first primary non-global (NG) zone associated with a first label and a first internet protocol (IP) address, where the first primary NG zone is accessible by a desktop layer of the system. The Host OS further including a second primary NG zone associated with a second label and the first IP address, wherein the second primary NG zone is accessible by the desktop layer of system. The global zone is configured to receive a first request to create a secondary NG zone with the first label, and in response to the first request, create the secondary NG zone associated with the first label and a second IP address, where the secondary NG zone is not accessible by the desktop layer of the system.

Abstract: A global zone executing on a host OS that includes a multilevel filesystem (MLFS) associated with a label range, where the MLFS includes files and directories, where each of the files is associated with its own label and where each of the directories is associated with its own label. The global zone further includes a first non-global zone, where the MLFS is mounted in the first non-global zone as a first loopback file system. The host OS is configured to receive, from a process executing on the host OS, a request to access a first file in the MLFS, make a first determination that a process label dominates a first file label, based on the first determination, make a second determination that the first file label is equal to the process label, and in response to the second determination, provide read and write access to the first file.

Abstract: A system including a processor and a host operating system (OS) executing on the processor. The Host OS including a global zone, a first primary non-global (NG) zone associated with a first label and a first internet protocol (IP) address, where the first primary NG zone is accessible by a desktop layer of the system. The Host OS further including a second primary NG zone associated with a second label and the first IP address, wherein the second primary NG zone is accessible by the desktop layer of system. The global zone is configured to receive a first request to create a secondary NG zone with the first label, and in response to the first request, create the secondary NG zone associated with the first label and a second IP address, where the secondary NG zone is not accessible by the desktop layer of the system.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for implementing file access control using labeled containers. With this mechanism, it is possible to implement file access control without storing a sensitivity label with each file, and without checking a sensitivity label each time a file is accessed. Rather, by virtue of the manner in which the containers are labeled, and the manner in which a portion of the file system of one container is incorporated into the file system of another container, file access is effectively controlled. Thus, with this mechanism, it is possible to implement file access control simply and efficiently.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling labeled containers on different host machines to share file system portions. Before a process in a first container on a first host machine is allowed to access a file in a file system contained within a second container on a second host machine, a check is performed to determine whether a first sensitivity label associated with the first container is either identical to or dominates a second sensitivity label associated with the second container. If either is true, access to the file is granted. If the first sensitivity label is neither identical to nor dominates the second sensitivity label, access to the file is denied. By controlling access in this way, it is ensured that only containers with identical or higher sensitivity labels will be allowed to access the file. This in turn allows files to be shared by multiple containers without compromising security.