diff --git a/libcontainer/container_linux.go b/libcontainer/container_linux.go
index c941239b841..f20ffa4fb48 100644
--- a/libcontainer/container_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/container_linux.go
@@ -442,21 +442,14 @@ func (c *Container) includeExecFifo(cmd *exec.Cmd) error {
 }
 
 func (c *Container) newParentProcess(p *Process) (parentProcess, error) {
-	parentInitPipe, childInitPipe, err := utils.NewSockPair("init")
+	comm, err := newProcessComm()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to create init pipe: %w", err)
-	}
-	messageSockPair := filePair{parentInitPipe, childInitPipe}
-
-	parentLogPipe, childLogPipe, err := os.Pipe()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to create log pipe: %w", err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	logFilePair := filePair{parentLogPipe, childLogPipe}
 
-	cmd := c.commandTemplate(p, childInitPipe, childLogPipe)
+	cmd := c.commandTemplate(p, comm)
 	if !p.Init {
-		return c.newSetnsProcess(p, cmd, messageSockPair, logFilePair)
+		return c.newSetnsProcess(p, cmd, comm)
 	}
 
 	// We only set up fifoFd if we're not doing a `runc exec`. The historic
@@ -467,10 +460,10 @@ func (c *Container) newParentProcess(p *Process) (parentProcess, error) {
 	if err := c.includeExecFifo(cmd); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to setup exec fifo: %w", err)
 	}
-	return c.newInitProcess(p, cmd, messageSockPair, logFilePair)
+	return c.newInitProcess(p, cmd, comm)
 }
 
-func (c *Container) commandTemplate(p *Process, childInitPipe *os.File, childLogPipe *os.File) *exec.Cmd {
+func (c *Container) commandTemplate(p *Process, comm *processComm) *exec.Cmd {
 	cmd := exec.Command("/proc/self/exe", "init")
 	cmd.Args[0] = os.Args[0]
 	cmd.Stdin = p.Stdin
@@ -488,13 +481,18 @@ func (c *Container) commandTemplate(p *Process, childInitPipe *os.File, childLog
 			"_LIBCONTAINER_CONSOLE="+strconv.Itoa(stdioFdCount+len(cmd.ExtraFiles)-1),
 		)
 	}
-	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, childInitPipe)
+	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, "_LIBCONTAINER_STATEDIR="+c.root)
+
+	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, comm.initSockChild)
 	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env,
 		"_LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE="+strconv.Itoa(stdioFdCount+len(cmd.ExtraFiles)-1),
-		"_LIBCONTAINER_STATEDIR="+c.root,
+	)
+	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, comm.syncSockChild.File())
+	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env,
+		"_LIBCONTAINER_SYNCPIPE="+strconv.Itoa(stdioFdCount+len(cmd.ExtraFiles)-1),
 	)
 
-	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, childLogPipe)
+	cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, comm.logPipeChild)
 	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env,
 		"_LIBCONTAINER_LOGPIPE="+strconv.Itoa(stdioFdCount+len(cmd.ExtraFiles)-1))
 	if p.LogLevel != "" {
@@ -569,27 +567,27 @@ func (c *Container) shouldSendIdmapSources() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (c *Container) sendMountSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair filePair) error {
+func (c *Container) sendMountSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, comm *processComm) error {
 	if !c.shouldSendMountSources() {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	return c.sendFdsSources(cmd, messageSockPair, "_LIBCONTAINER_MOUNT_FDS", func(m *configs.Mount) bool {
+	return c.sendFdsSources(cmd, comm, "_LIBCONTAINER_MOUNT_FDS", func(m *configs.Mount) bool {
 		return m.IsBind() && !m.IsIDMapped()
 	})
 }
 
-func (c *Container) sendIdmapSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair filePair) error {
+func (c *Container) sendIdmapSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, comm *processComm) error {
 	if !c.shouldSendIdmapSources() {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	return c.sendFdsSources(cmd, messageSockPair, "_LIBCONTAINER_IDMAP_FDS", func(m *configs.Mount) bool {
+	return c.sendFdsSources(cmd, comm, "_LIBCONTAINER_IDMAP_FDS", func(m *configs.Mount) bool {
 		return m.IsBind() && m.IsIDMapped()
 	})
 }
 
-func (c *Container) sendFdsSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair filePair, envVar string, condition func(*configs.Mount) bool) error {
+func (c *Container) sendFdsSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, comm *processComm, envVar string, condition func(*configs.Mount) bool) error {
 	// Elements on these slices will be paired with mounts (see StartInitialization() and
 	// prepareRootfs()). These slices MUST have the same size as c.config.Mounts.
 	fds := make([]int, len(c.config.Mounts))
@@ -600,11 +598,12 @@ func (c *Container) sendFdsSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair filePair, envV
 			continue
 		}
 
-		// The fd passed here will not be used: nsexec.c will overwrite it with dup3(). We just need
-		// to allocate a fd so that we know the number to pass in the environment variable. The fd
-		// must not be closed before cmd.Start(), so we reuse messageSockPair.child because the
-		// lifecycle of that fd is already taken care of.
-		cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, messageSockPair.child)
+		// The fd passed here will not be used: nsexec.c will overwrite it with
+		// dup3(). We just need to allocate a fd so that we know the number to
+		// pass in the environment variable. The fd must not be closed before
+		// cmd.Start(), so we reuse initSockChild because the lifecycle of that
+		// fd is already taken care of.
+		cmd.ExtraFiles = append(cmd.ExtraFiles, comm.initSockChild)
 		fds[i] = stdioFdCount + len(cmd.ExtraFiles) - 1
 	}
 	fdsJSON, err := json.Marshal(fds)
@@ -615,7 +614,7 @@ func (c *Container) sendFdsSources(cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair filePair, envV
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (c *Container) newInitProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair, logFilePair filePair) (*initProcess, error) {
+func (c *Container) newInitProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, comm *processComm) (*initProcess, error) {
 	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, "_LIBCONTAINER_INITTYPE="+string(initStandard))
 	nsMaps := make(map[configs.NamespaceType]string)
 	for _, ns := range c.config.Namespaces {
@@ -627,17 +626,16 @@ func (c *Container) newInitProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair, l
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err := c.sendMountSources(cmd, messageSockPair); err != nil {
+	if err := c.sendMountSources(cmd, comm); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if err := c.sendIdmapSources(cmd, messageSockPair); err != nil {
+	if err := c.sendIdmapSources(cmd, comm); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	init := &initProcess{
 		cmd:             cmd,
-		messageSockPair: messageSockPair,
-		logFilePair:     logFilePair,
+		comm:            comm,
 		manager:         c.cgroupManager,
 		intelRdtManager: c.intelRdtManager,
 		config:          c.newInitConfig(p),
@@ -649,7 +647,7 @@ func (c *Container) newInitProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair, l
 	return init, nil
 }
 
-func (c *Container) newSetnsProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair, logFilePair filePair) (*setnsProcess, error) {
+func (c *Container) newSetnsProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, comm *processComm) (*setnsProcess, error) {
 	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, "_LIBCONTAINER_INITTYPE="+string(initSetns))
 	state, err := c.currentState()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -666,8 +664,7 @@ func (c *Container) newSetnsProcess(p *Process, cmd *exec.Cmd, messageSockPair,
 		cgroupPaths:     state.CgroupPaths,
 		rootlessCgroups: c.config.RootlessCgroups,
 		intelRdtPath:    state.IntelRdtPath,
-		messageSockPair: messageSockPair,
-		logFilePair:     logFilePair,
+		comm:            comm,
 		manager:         c.cgroupManager,
 		config:          c.newInitConfig(p),
 		process:         p,
diff --git a/libcontainer/init_linux.go b/libcontainer/init_linux.go
index 998b01ab7c2..60b63d5f96d 100644
--- a/libcontainer/init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/init_linux.go
@@ -108,20 +108,20 @@ func Init() {
 // error, it means the initialization has failed. If the error is returned,
 // it means the error can not be communicated back to the parent.
 func startInitialization() (retErr error) {
-	// Get the INITPIPE.
-	envInitPipe := os.Getenv("_LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE")
-	pipefd, err := strconv.Atoi(envInitPipe)
+	// Get the syncrhonisation pipe.
+	envSyncPipe := os.Getenv("_LIBCONTAINER_SYNCPIPE")
+	syncPipeFd, err := strconv.Atoi(envSyncPipe)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unable to convert _LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to convert _LIBCONTAINER_SYNCPIPE: %w", err)
 	}
-	pipe := os.NewFile(uintptr(pipefd), "pipe")
-	defer pipe.Close()
+	syncPipe := newSyncSocket(os.NewFile(uintptr(syncPipeFd), "sync"))
+	defer syncPipe.Close()
 
 	defer func() {
 		// If this defer is ever called, this means initialization has failed.
 		// Send the error back to the parent process in the form of an initError.
 		ierr := initError{Message: retErr.Error()}
-		if err := writeSyncArg(pipe, procError, ierr); err != nil {
+		if err := writeSyncArg(syncPipe, procError, ierr); err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 			return
 		}
@@ -129,6 +129,15 @@ func startInitialization() (retErr error) {
 		retErr = nil
 	}()
 
+	// Get the INITPIPE.
+	envInitPipe := os.Getenv("_LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE")
+	initPipeFd, err := strconv.Atoi(envInitPipe)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to convert _LIBCONTAINER_INITPIPE: %w", err)
+	}
+	initPipe := os.NewFile(uintptr(initPipeFd), "init")
+	defer initPipe.Close()
+
 	// Set up logging. This is used rarely, and mostly for init debugging.
 
 	// Passing log level is optional; currently libcontainer/integration does not do it.
@@ -196,15 +205,16 @@ func startInitialization() (retErr error) {
 		}
 	}()
 
+	var config initConfig
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(initPipe).Decode(&config); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// If init succeeds, it will not return, hence none of the defers will be called.
-	return containerInit(it, pipe, consoleSocket, fifofd, logFD, mountFds{sourceFds: mountSrcFds, idmapFds: idmapFds})
+	return containerInit(it, &config, syncPipe, consoleSocket, fifofd, logFD, mountFds{sourceFds: mountSrcFds, idmapFds: idmapFds})
 }
 
-func containerInit(t initType, pipe *os.File, consoleSocket *os.File, fifoFd, logFd int, mountFds mountFds) error {
-	var config *initConfig
-	if err := json.NewDecoder(pipe).Decode(&config); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+func containerInit(t initType, config *initConfig, pipe *syncSocket, consoleSocket *os.File, fifoFd, logFd int, mountFds mountFds) error {
 	if err := populateProcessEnvironment(config.Env); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -381,7 +391,7 @@ func setupConsole(socket *os.File, config *initConfig, mount bool) error {
 // syncParentReady sends to the given pipe a JSON payload which indicates that
 // the init is ready to Exec the child process. It then waits for the parent to
 // indicate that it is cleared to Exec.
-func syncParentReady(pipe *os.File) error {
+func syncParentReady(pipe *syncSocket) error {
 	// Tell parent.
 	if err := writeSync(pipe, procReady); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -393,7 +403,7 @@ func syncParentReady(pipe *os.File) error {
 // syncParentHooks sends to the given pipe a JSON payload which indicates that
 // the parent should execute pre-start hooks. It then waits for the parent to
 // indicate that it is cleared to resume.
-func syncParentHooks(pipe *os.File) error {
+func syncParentHooks(pipe *syncSocket) error {
 	// Tell parent.
 	if err := writeSync(pipe, procHooks); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -404,7 +414,7 @@ func syncParentHooks(pipe *os.File) error {
 
 // syncParentSeccomp sends the fd associated with the seccomp file descriptor
 // to the parent, and wait for the parent to do pidfd_getfd() to grab a copy.
-func syncParentSeccomp(pipe *os.File, seccompFd *os.File) error {
+func syncParentSeccomp(pipe *syncSocket, seccompFd *os.File) error {
 	if seccompFd == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/process_linux.go b/libcontainer/process_linux.go
index 9ea8ad5b2bc..c1b60c49884 100644
--- a/libcontainer/process_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/process_linux.go
@@ -46,15 +46,54 @@ type parentProcess interface {
 	forwardChildLogs() chan error
 }
 
-type filePair struct {
-	parent *os.File
-	child  *os.File
+type processComm struct {
+	// Used to send initial configuration to "runc init" and for "runc init" to
+	// indicate that it is ready.
+	initSockParent *os.File
+	initSockChild  *os.File
+	// Used for control messages between parent and "runc init".
+	syncSockParent *syncSocket
+	syncSockChild  *syncSocket
+	// Used for log forwarding from "runc init" to the parent.
+	logPipeParent *os.File
+	logPipeChild  *os.File
+}
+
+func newProcessComm() (*processComm, error) {
+	var (
+		comm processComm
+		err  error
+	)
+	comm.initSockParent, comm.initSockChild, err = utils.NewSockPair("init")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to create init pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	comm.syncSockParent, comm.syncSockChild, err = newSyncSockpair("sync")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to create sync pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	comm.logPipeParent, comm.logPipeChild, err = os.Pipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to create log pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &comm, nil
+}
+
+func (c *processComm) closeChild() {
+	_ = c.initSockChild.Close()
+	_ = c.syncSockChild.Close()
+	_ = c.logPipeChild.Close()
+}
+
+func (c *processComm) closeParent() {
+	_ = c.initSockParent.Close()
+	_ = c.syncSockParent.Close()
+	// c.logPipeParent is kept alive for ForwardLogs
 }
 
 type setnsProcess struct {
 	cmd             *exec.Cmd
-	messageSockPair filePair
-	logFilePair     filePair
+	comm            *processComm
 	cgroupPaths     map[string]string
 	rootlessCgroups bool
 	manager         cgroups.Manager
@@ -80,18 +119,17 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) signal(sig os.Signal) error {
 }
 
 func (p *setnsProcess) start() (retErr error) {
-	defer p.messageSockPair.parent.Close()
+	defer p.comm.closeParent()
 	// get the "before" value of oom kill count
 	oom, _ := p.manager.OOMKillCount()
 	err := p.cmd.Start()
-	// close the write-side of the pipes (controlled by child)
-	p.messageSockPair.child.Close()
-	p.logFilePair.child.Close()
+	// close the child-side of the pipes (controlled by child)
+	p.comm.closeChild()
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error starting setns process: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	waitInit := initWaiter(p.messageSockPair.parent)
+	waitInit := initWaiter(p.comm.initSockParent)
 	defer func() {
 		if retErr != nil {
 			if newOom, err := p.manager.OOMKillCount(); err == nil && newOom != oom {
@@ -110,7 +148,7 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 	}()
 
 	if p.bootstrapData != nil {
-		if _, err := io.Copy(p.messageSockPair.parent, p.bootstrapData); err != nil {
+		if _, err := io.Copy(p.comm.initSockParent, p.bootstrapData); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("error copying bootstrap data to pipe: %w", err)
 		}
 	}
@@ -158,11 +196,11 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 	if err := setupRlimits(p.config.Rlimits, p.pid()); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error setting rlimits for process: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := utils.WriteJSON(p.messageSockPair.parent, p.config); err != nil {
+	if err := utils.WriteJSON(p.comm.initSockParent, p.config); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error writing config to pipe: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	ierr := parseSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, func(sync *syncT) error {
+	ierr := parseSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, func(sync *syncT) error {
 		switch sync.Type {
 		case procReady:
 			// This shouldn't happen.
@@ -190,7 +228,7 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 			// wait for the seccomp notify listener to get the fd before we
 			// permit the child to continue because the child will happily wait
 			// for the listener if it hits SCMP_ACT_NOTIFY.
-			if err := writeSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, procSeccompDone); err != nil {
+			if err := writeSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, procSeccompDone); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
@@ -219,8 +257,8 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	if err := unix.Shutdown(int(p.messageSockPair.parent.Fd()), unix.SHUT_WR); err != nil {
-		return &os.PathError{Op: "shutdown", Path: "(init pipe)", Err: err}
+	if err := p.comm.syncSockParent.Shutdown(unix.SHUT_WR); err != nil && ierr == nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	// Must be done after Shutdown so the child will exit and we can wait for it.
 	if ierr != nil {
@@ -245,7 +283,7 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) execSetns() error {
 		return &exec.ExitError{ProcessState: status}
 	}
 	var pid *pid
-	if err := json.NewDecoder(p.messageSockPair.parent).Decode(&pid); err != nil {
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(p.comm.initSockParent).Decode(&pid); err != nil {
 		_ = p.cmd.Wait()
 		return fmt.Errorf("error reading pid from init pipe: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -299,13 +337,12 @@ func (p *setnsProcess) setExternalDescriptors(newFds []string) {
 }
 
 func (p *setnsProcess) forwardChildLogs() chan error {
-	return logs.ForwardLogs(p.logFilePair.parent)
+	return logs.ForwardLogs(p.comm.logPipeParent)
 }
 
 type initProcess struct {
 	cmd             *exec.Cmd
-	messageSockPair filePair
-	logFilePair     filePair
+	comm            *processComm
 	config          *initConfig
 	manager         cgroups.Manager
 	intelRdtManager *intelrdt.Manager
@@ -326,7 +363,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) externalDescriptors() []string {
 // getChildPid receives the final child's pid over the provided pipe.
 func (p *initProcess) getChildPid() (int, error) {
 	var pid pid
-	if err := json.NewDecoder(p.messageSockPair.parent).Decode(&pid); err != nil {
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(p.comm.initSockParent).Decode(&pid); err != nil {
 		_ = p.cmd.Wait()
 		return -1, err
 	}
@@ -362,18 +399,17 @@ func (p *initProcess) waitForChildExit(childPid int) error {
 }
 
 func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
-	defer p.messageSockPair.parent.Close() //nolint: errcheck
+	defer p.comm.closeParent()
 	err := p.cmd.Start()
 	p.process.ops = p
-	// close the write-side of the pipes (controlled by child)
-	_ = p.messageSockPair.child.Close()
-	_ = p.logFilePair.child.Close()
+	// close the child-side of the pipes (controlled by child)
+	p.comm.closeChild()
 	if err != nil {
 		p.process.ops = nil
 		return fmt.Errorf("unable to start init: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	waitInit := initWaiter(p.messageSockPair.parent)
+	waitInit := initWaiter(p.comm.initSockParent)
 	defer func() {
 		if retErr != nil {
 			// Find out if init is killed by the kernel's OOM killer.
@@ -424,7 +460,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("unable to apply Intel RDT configuration: %w", err)
 		}
 	}
-	if _, err := io.Copy(p.messageSockPair.parent, p.bootstrapData); err != nil {
+	if _, err := io.Copy(p.comm.initSockParent, p.bootstrapData); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("can't copy bootstrap data to pipe: %w", err)
 	}
 	err = <-waitInit
@@ -457,12 +493,12 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 	if err := p.updateSpecState(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error updating spec state: %w", err)
 	}
-	if err := p.sendConfig(); err != nil {
+	if err := utils.WriteJSON(p.comm.initSockParent, p.config); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error sending config to init process: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	var seenProcReady bool
-	ierr := parseSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, func(sync *syncT) error {
+	ierr := parseSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, func(sync *syncT) error {
 		switch sync.Type {
 		case procSeccomp:
 			if p.config.Config.Seccomp.ListenerPath == "" {
@@ -484,7 +520,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 			// wait for the seccomp notify listener to get the fd before we
 			// permit the child to continue because the child will happily wait
 			// for the listener if it hits SCMP_ACT_NOTIFY.
-			if err := writeSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, procSeccompDone); err != nil {
+			if err := writeSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, procSeccompDone); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
@@ -537,7 +573,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 			p.container.initProcessStartTime = state.InitProcessStartTime
 
 			// Sync with child.
-			if err := writeSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, procRun); err != nil {
+			if err := writeSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, procRun); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		case procHooks:
@@ -568,7 +604,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 				}
 			}
 			// Sync with child.
-			if err := writeSync(p.messageSockPair.parent, procHooksDone); err != nil {
+			if err := writeSync(p.comm.syncSockParent, procHooksDone); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		default:
@@ -577,8 +613,8 @@ func (p *initProcess) start() (retErr error) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	if err := unix.Shutdown(int(p.messageSockPair.parent.Fd()), unix.SHUT_WR); err != nil && ierr == nil {
-		return &os.PathError{Op: "shutdown", Path: "(init pipe)", Err: err}
+	if err := p.comm.syncSockParent.Shutdown(unix.SHUT_WR); err != nil && ierr == nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	if !seenProcReady && ierr == nil {
 		ierr = errors.New("procReady not received")
@@ -620,13 +656,6 @@ func (p *initProcess) updateSpecState() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (p *initProcess) sendConfig() error {
-	// send the config to the container's init process, we don't use JSON Encode
-	// here because there might be a problem in JSON decoder in some cases, see:
-	// https://github.com/docker/docker/issues/14203#issuecomment-174177790
-	return utils.WriteJSON(p.messageSockPair.parent, p.config)
-}
-
 func (p *initProcess) createNetworkInterfaces() error {
 	for _, config := range p.config.Config.Networks {
 		strategy, err := getStrategy(config.Type)
@@ -657,7 +686,7 @@ func (p *initProcess) setExternalDescriptors(newFds []string) {
 }
 
 func (p *initProcess) forwardChildLogs() chan error {
-	return logs.ForwardLogs(p.logFilePair.parent)
+	return logs.ForwardLogs(p.comm.logPipeParent)
 }
 
 func pidGetFd(pid, srcFd int) (*os.File, error) {
diff --git a/libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go b/libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go
index 88ecb287c11..d76dadcd842 100644
--- a/libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/rootfs_linux.go
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func needsSetupDev(config *configs.Config) bool {
 // prepareRootfs sets up the devices, mount points, and filesystems for use
 // inside a new mount namespace. It doesn't set anything as ro. You must call
 // finalizeRootfs after this function to finish setting up the rootfs.
-func prepareRootfs(pipe *os.File, iConfig *initConfig, mountFds mountFds) (err error) {
+func prepareRootfs(pipe *syncSocket, iConfig *initConfig, mountFds mountFds) (err error) {
 	config := iConfig.Config
 	if err := prepareRoot(config); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error preparing rootfs: %w", err)
diff --git a/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go b/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
index 40a47a2e95c..a0117acd891 100644
--- a/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/setns_init_linux.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import (
 // linuxSetnsInit performs the container's initialization for running a new process
 // inside an existing container.
 type linuxSetnsInit struct {
-	pipe          *os.File
+	pipe          *syncSocket
 	consoleSocket *os.File
 	config        *initConfig
 	logFd         int
@@ -97,8 +97,9 @@ func (l *linuxSetnsInit) Init() error {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
-	logrus.Debugf("setns_init: about to exec")
+
 	// Close the log pipe fd so the parent's ForwardLogs can exit.
+	logrus.Debugf("setns_init: about to exec")
 	if err := unix.Close(l.logFd); err != nil {
 		return &os.PathError{Op: "close log pipe", Path: "fd " + strconv.Itoa(l.logFd), Err: err}
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go b/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
index c64173ecfc3..75ff5e9ef18 100644
--- a/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/standard_init_linux.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type linuxStandardInit struct {
-	pipe          *os.File
+	pipe          *syncSocket
 	consoleSocket *os.File
 	parentPid     int
 	fifoFd        int
@@ -230,6 +230,7 @@ func (l *linuxStandardInit) Init() error {
 	_ = l.pipe.Close()
 
 	// Close the log pipe fd so the parent's ForwardLogs can exit.
+	logrus.Debugf("init: about to wait on exec fifo")
 	if err := unix.Close(l.logFd); err != nil {
 		return &os.PathError{Op: "close log pipe", Path: "fd " + strconv.Itoa(l.logFd), Err: err}
 	}
diff --git a/libcontainer/sync.go b/libcontainer/sync.go
index 36e657f66d8..1894e870e53 100644
--- a/libcontainer/sync.go
+++ b/libcontainer/sync.go
@@ -6,8 +6,11 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"strconv"
 
 	"github.com/opencontainers/runc/libcontainer/utils"
+
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 )
 
 type syncType string
@@ -53,6 +56,20 @@ type syncT struct {
 	File  *os.File         `json:"-"` // passed oob through SCM_RIGHTS
 }
 
+func (s syncT) String() string {
+	str := "type:" + string(s.Type)
+	if s.Flags != 0 {
+		str += " flags:0b" + strconv.FormatInt(int64(s.Flags), 2)
+	}
+	if s.Arg != nil {
+		str += " arg:" + string(*s.Arg)
+	}
+	if s.File != nil {
+		str += " file:" + s.File.Name() + " (fd:" + strconv.Itoa(int(s.File.Fd())) + ")"
+	}
+	return str
+}
+
 // initError is used to wrap errors for passing them via JSON,
 // as encoding/json can't unmarshal into error type.
 type initError struct {
@@ -63,43 +80,56 @@ func (i initError) Error() string {
 	return i.Message
 }
 
-func doWriteSync(pipe *os.File, sync syncT) error {
+func doWriteSync(pipe *syncSocket, sync syncT) error {
 	sync.Flags &= ^syncFlagHasFd
 	if sync.File != nil {
 		sync.Flags |= syncFlagHasFd
 	}
-	if err := utils.WriteJSON(pipe, sync); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("writing sync %q: %w", sync.Type, err)
+	logrus.Debugf("writing sync %s", sync)
+	data, err := json.Marshal(sync)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("marshal sync %v: %w", sync.Type, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := pipe.WritePacket(data); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("writing sync %v: %w", sync.Type, err)
 	}
 	if sync.Flags&syncFlagHasFd != 0 {
-		if err := utils.SendFile(pipe, sync.File); err != nil {
+		logrus.Debugf("writing sync file %s", sync)
+		if err := utils.SendFile(pipe.File(), sync.File); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("sending file after sync %q: %w", sync.Type, err)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-func writeSync(pipe *os.File, sync syncType) error {
+func writeSync(pipe *syncSocket, sync syncType) error {
 	return doWriteSync(pipe, syncT{Type: sync})
 }
 
-func writeSyncArg(pipe *os.File, sync syncType, arg interface{}) error {
+func writeSyncArg(pipe *syncSocket, sync syncType, arg interface{}) error {
 	argJSON, err := json.Marshal(arg)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("writing sync %q: marshal argument failed: %w", sync, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("writing sync %v: marshal argument failed: %w", sync, err)
 	}
 	argJSONMsg := json.RawMessage(argJSON)
 	return doWriteSync(pipe, syncT{Type: sync, Arg: &argJSONMsg})
 }
 
-func doReadSync(pipe *os.File) (syncT, error) {
+func doReadSync(pipe *syncSocket) (syncT, error) {
 	var sync syncT
-	if err := json.NewDecoder(pipe).Decode(&sync); err != nil {
+	logrus.Debugf("reading sync")
+	packet, err := pipe.ReadPacket()
+	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+			logrus.Debugf("sync pipe closed")
 			return sync, err
 		}
 		return sync, fmt.Errorf("reading from parent failed: %w", err)
 	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(packet, &sync); err != nil {
+		return sync, fmt.Errorf("unmarshal sync from parent failed: %w", err)
+	}
+	logrus.Debugf("read sync %s", sync)
 	if sync.Type == procError {
 		var ierr initError
 		if sync.Arg == nil {
@@ -111,16 +141,17 @@ func doReadSync(pipe *os.File) (syncT, error) {
 		return sync, &ierr
 	}
 	if sync.Flags&syncFlagHasFd != 0 {
-		file, err := utils.RecvFile(pipe)
+		logrus.Debugf("reading sync file %s", sync)
+		file, err := utils.RecvFile(pipe.File())
 		if err != nil {
-			return sync, fmt.Errorf("receiving fd from sync %q failed: %w", sync.Type, err)
+			return sync, fmt.Errorf("receiving fd from sync %v failed: %w", sync.Type, err)
 		}
 		sync.File = file
 	}
 	return sync, nil
 }
 
-func readSyncFull(pipe *os.File, expected syncType) (syncT, error) {
+func readSyncFull(pipe *syncSocket, expected syncType) (syncT, error) {
 	sync, err := doReadSync(pipe)
 	if err != nil {
 		return sync, err
@@ -131,24 +162,24 @@ func readSyncFull(pipe *os.File, expected syncType) (syncT, error) {
 	return sync, nil
 }
 
-func readSync(pipe *os.File, expected syncType) error {
+func readSync(pipe *syncSocket, expected syncType) error {
 	sync, err := readSyncFull(pipe, expected)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	if sync.Arg != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("sync %q had unexpected argument passed: %q", expected, string(*sync.Arg))
+		return fmt.Errorf("sync %v had unexpected argument passed: %q", expected, string(*sync.Arg))
 	}
 	if sync.File != nil {
 		_ = sync.File.Close()
-		return fmt.Errorf("sync %q had unexpected file passed", sync.Type)
+		return fmt.Errorf("sync %v had unexpected file passed", sync.Type)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
 // parseSync runs the given callback function on each syncT received from the
 // child. It will return once io.EOF is returned from the given pipe.
-func parseSync(pipe *os.File, fn func(*syncT) error) error {
+func parseSync(pipe *syncSocket, fn func(*syncT) error) error {
 	for {
 		sync, err := doReadSync(pipe)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/libcontainer/sync_unix.go b/libcontainer/sync_unix.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f94486cb300
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libcontainer/sync_unix.go
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package libcontainer
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+// syncSocket is a wrapper around a SOCK_SEQPACKET socket, providing
+// packet-oriented methods. This is needed because SOCK_SEQPACKET does not
+// allow for partial reads, but the Go stdlib treats it as a streamable source,
+// which ends up making things like json.Decoder hang forever if the packet is
+// bigger than the internal read buffer.
+type syncSocket struct {
+	f *os.File
+}
+
+func newSyncSocket(f *os.File) *syncSocket {
+	return &syncSocket{f: f}
+}
+
+func (s *syncSocket) File() *os.File {
+	return s.f
+}
+
+func (s *syncSocket) Close() error {
+	return s.f.Close()
+}
+
+func (s *syncSocket) WritePacket(b []byte) (int, error) {
+	return s.f.Write(b)
+}
+
+func (s *syncSocket) ReadPacket() ([]byte, error) {
+	size, _, err := unix.Recvfrom(int(s.f.Fd()), nil, unix.MSG_TRUNC|unix.MSG_PEEK)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("fetch packet length from socket: %w", err)
+	}
+	// We will only get a zero size if the socket has been closed from the
+	// other end (otherwise recvfrom(2) will block until a packet is ready). In
+	// addition, SOCK_SEQPACKET is treated as a stream source by Go stdlib so
+	// returning io.EOF here is correct from that perspective too.
+	if size == 0 {
+		return nil, io.EOF
+	}
+	buf := make([]byte, size)
+	n, err := s.f.Read(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if n != size {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("packet read too short: expected %d byte packet but only %d bytes read", size, n)
+	}
+	return buf, nil
+}
+
+func (s *syncSocket) Shutdown(how int) error {
+	if err := unix.Shutdown(int(s.f.Fd()), how); err != nil {
+		return &os.PathError{Op: "shutdown", Path: s.f.Name() + " (sync pipe)", Err: err}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// newSyncSockpair returns a new SOCK_SEQPACKET unix socket pair to be used for
+// runc-init synchronisation.
+func newSyncSockpair(name string) (parent, child *syncSocket, err error) {
+	fds, err := unix.Socketpair(unix.AF_LOCAL, unix.SOCK_SEQPACKET|unix.SOCK_CLOEXEC, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	parentFile := os.NewFile(uintptr(fds[1]), name+"-p")
+	childFile := os.NewFile(uintptr(fds[0]), name+"-c")
+	return newSyncSocket(parentFile), newSyncSocket(childFile), nil
+}
diff --git a/libcontainer/utils/utils.go b/libcontainer/utils/utils.go
index dbd43534165..74d9d20c7f1 100644
--- a/libcontainer/utils/utils.go
+++ b/libcontainer/utils/utils.go
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ func ExitStatus(status unix.WaitStatus) int {
 }
 
 // WriteJSON writes the provided struct v to w using standard json marshaling
+// without a trailing newline. This is used instead of json.Encoder because
+// there might be a problem in json decoder in some cases, see:
+// https://github.com/docker/docker/issues/14203#issuecomment-174177790
 func WriteJSON(w io.Writer, v interface{}) error {
 	data, err := json.Marshal(v)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/libcontainer/utils/utils_unix.go b/libcontainer/utils/utils_unix.go
index ca520b63b36..e5f11523d1d 100644
--- a/libcontainer/utils/utils_unix.go
+++ b/libcontainer/utils/utils_unix.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func CloseExecFrom(minFd int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// NewSockPair returns a new unix socket pair
+// NewSockPair returns a new SOCK_STREAM unix socket pair.
 func NewSockPair(name string) (parent, child *os.File, err error) {
 	fds, err := unix.Socketpair(unix.AF_LOCAL, unix.SOCK_STREAM|unix.SOCK_CLOEXEC, 0)
 	if err != nil {