CVE-2018-1063 : Security Advisory and Response

A security weakness in policycoreutils version 2.5-11 and newer allows a local attacker to modify SELinux context via a symbolic link attack during filesystem relabeling.

Understanding CVE-2018-1063

What is CVE-2018-1063?

The vulnerability in policycoreutils enables an unprivileged attacker to alter SELinux context, potentially leading to unauthorized access or privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1063

The vulnerability can be exploited by a local attacker to manipulate file contexts, compromising system integrity and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1063

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in policycoreutils version 2.5-11 allows unauthorized modification of SELinux context during filesystem relabeling.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: policycoreutils
Vendor: SELinux Project
Versions: 2.5-11 and newer

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through a symbolic link attack during the transition of SELinux state from disabled to enabled.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update policycoreutils to a non-vulnerable version.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive files and directories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit access rights.
Regularly review and update SELinux policies to enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.