CVE-2018-1166 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2018-1166 article provides insights into a vulnerability in Joyent SmartOS release-20170803-20170803T064301Z that allows local attackers to escalate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2018-1166

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2018-1166?

The vulnerability in Joyent SmartOS release-20170803-20170803T064301Z enables local attackers to gain higher privileges by exploiting a specific flaw within the SMBIOC_TREE_RELE ioctl. The lack of object validation before operations allow attackers to execute code under the host OS context.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1166

The vulnerability permits local attackers to elevate privileges on vulnerable installations of Joyent SmartOS release-20170803-20170803T064301Z. Attackers must first execute low-privileged code on the target system to exploit this flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1166

This section provides technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-416-Use After Free, arising from the lack of object validation before operations within the SMBIOC_TREE_RELE ioctl.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Joyent SmartOS
Vendor: Joyent
Version: release-20170803-20170803T064301Z

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers need the ability to execute code with low privileges on the target system initially.
The flaw occurs within the SMBIOC_TREE_RELE ioctl due to the absence of object validation.
Exploiting the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code under the context of the host OS.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2018-1166.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant security patches promptly.
Monitor and restrict low-privileged code execution on systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access controls.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Joyent.
Regularly update and patch Joyent SmartOS installations.