CVE-2018-11023 : Security Advisory and Response

Amazon Kindle Fire HD (3rd) Fire OS 4.5.5.3 kernel component vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2018-11023

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the kernel component of Amazon Kindle Fire HD (3rd) Fire OS 4.5.5.3 that allows attackers to crash the kernel by injecting a specially crafted argument.

What is CVE-2018-11023?

The vulnerability is located in kernel/omap/drivers/misc/gcx/gcioctl/gcif.c. Attackers can exploit this by injecting a crafted argument via an ioctl on /dev/gcioctl with a specific command.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11023

The exploit has the potential to cause a kernel crash on the affected device, impacting its stability and potentially leading to denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11023

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in kernel/omap/drivers/misc/gcx/gcioctl/gcif.c allows attackers to inject a crafted argument via an ioctl on /dev/gcioctl with a specific command, potentially leading to a kernel crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Amazon Kindle Fire HD (3rd) Fire OS 4.5.5.3
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting a specifically crafted argument via the argument of an ioctl performed on the device /dev/gcioctl with the command 3222560159.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Monitor vendor communications for updates and advisories regarding this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware on the affected device.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the device is running the latest version of the operating system and kernel to mitigate the risk of exploitation.