CVE-2018-14646 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security flaw was discovered in the Linux kernel prior to version 4.15-rc8. This vulnerability affects the __netlink_ns_capable() function in the net/netlink/af_netlink.c file and involves a NULL pointer dereference bug. An attacker with local access could exploit this vulnerability, leading to a kernel panic and denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2018-14646

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could be exploited by a local attacker to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2018-14646?

The CVE-2018-14646 vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference bug in the __netlink_ns_capable() function in the Linux kernel prior to version 4.15-rc8.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14646

The vulnerability could allow a local attacker to trigger a kernel panic, resulting in a denial of service condition on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14646

This section provides more technical details about the CVE-2018-14646 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference bug in the __netlink_ns_capable() function in the net/netlink/af_netlink.c file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: kernel
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Versions Affected: 4.15-rc8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
Availability Impact: High
Base Score: 5.5 (Medium)
CWE ID: CWE-476

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-14646 and enhance system security, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor
Monitor vendor advisories for updates

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version
Implement least privilege access controls

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor advisories for patch availability and installation instructions