CVE-2018-1116 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2018-1116, a vulnerability in polkit versions before 0.116 enabling unauthorized authentication of processes, leading to local denial of service and information disclosure. Learn about affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability was discovered in polkit prior to version 0.116, allowing for local denial of service and information disclosure.
Understanding CVE-2018-1116
A flaw in polkit's polkit_backend_interactive_authority_check_authorization function could lead to unauthorized authentication of unrelated processes.
What is CVE-2018-1116?
This CVE refers to a vulnerability in polkit versions before 0.116 that enables unauthorized authentication of processes owned by different users, potentially resulting in local denial of service and information exposure.
The Impact of CVE-2018-1116
The vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger authentication for unrelated processes, leading to local denial of service and disclosure of sensitive information.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-1116
The technical aspects of the CVE provide insight into the vulnerability and its implications.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in the polkitd's polkit_backend_interactive_authority_check_authorization function allows testing and triggering authentication for processes owned by different users, potentially causing local denial of service and information disclosure.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: polkit
- Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
- Versions Affected: polkit 0.116
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Network
- Privileges Required: High
- User Interaction: None
- Scope: Unchanged
- CVSS Base Score: 4.7 (Medium)
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-1116 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update polkit to version 0.116 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor system logs for any unusual authentication activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary access.
- Regularly review and update security policies and configurations.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.