CVE-2018-10901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was discovered in the KVM virtualization subsystem of the Linux kernel. The flaw allows attackers to potentially elevate their privileges by manipulating the GDT.LIMIT value.

Understanding CVE-2018-10901

This CVE relates to a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM virtualization subsystem that can be exploited to escalate privileges.

What is CVE-2018-10901?

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem allows attackers to corrupt the GDT.LIMIT value, enabling them to insert malicious entries into the GDT and target per-cpu variables.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10901

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10901

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the VMX code of the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem fails to restore the GDT.LIMIT to its original value, allowing attackers to manipulate it for privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Kernel
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Affected Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the corrupted GDT limit, attackers can insert malicious entries into the GDT, specifically targeting per-cpu variables to potentially elevate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-10901, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor
Monitor for any unusual system behavior
Restrict access to vulnerable systems

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems
Conduct security training for staff

Patching and Updates

Keep the system up to date with the latest security patches
Follow vendor recommendations for securing the system