CVE-2018-1120 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernel prior to version 4.17 that could lead to denial of service attacks or synchronization for other attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-1120

This CVE involves a flaw in the Linux kernel that allows an attacker to block utilities like ps and w by manipulating memory.

What is CVE-2018-1120?

The vulnerability in the Linux kernel before version 4.17 allows an attacker to map a FUSE-backed file onto a process's memory, causing denial of service or controlled blocking.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1120

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Availability Impact: Low
Base Score: 2.8 (Low)

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1120

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

By mapping a FUSE-backed file onto a process's memory, an attacker can block utilities like ps and w, resulting in denial of service or controlled blocking.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kernel
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Versions Affected: Kernel 4.17

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker maps a FUSE-backed file onto a process's memory containing command line arguments or environment strings, causing utilities to block indefinitely or for a specific duration.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-1120 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant security patches promptly.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to critical system files and directories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch your system to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Update to Linux kernel version 4.17 or later to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.