Crouton chroot concern(s) with security?

Question

I am using a Samsung Chromebook with the Crouton Linux install of which can be found here.

My question is, does installing software that uses chroot, open my Chrome Book to vulnerabilities?

Usage: I am a software developer, that wishes to use Linux on the Chrome Book to develop on. I am not a Linux expert by any means. I just want an environment that does not put my work, or my new Chrome Book at risk!

Answer 1

chroot provides a minimal isolation mechanism, but is not really designed for security. Its limitation is coming from the fact that once you get root inside the environment the containment can be broken (chroot-break).

But, if you accept the fact that getting root access from inside the chroot is something hard, you can consider that chroot is a good enough containment security.

Note that most of the secured containers provide an isolation mechanism that root cannot break.