CVE-2018-14654 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2018-14654 affecting GlusterFS up to version 4.1.4. Understand the impact, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
CVE-2018-14654 was published on October 31, 2018, and affects Gluster file system versions up to 4.1.4. The vulnerability lies in the 'features/index' translator, allowing an external attacker with privileged access to mount volumes to create empty files on the destination server.
Understanding CVE-2018-14654
This CVE entry details a medium severity vulnerability in Gluster file system versions up to 4.1.4.
What is CVE-2018-14654?
The vulnerability in the 'features/index' translator of Gluster file system up to version 4.1.4 can be exploited by an external attacker with privileged access to mount volumes to generate empty files on the destination server.
The Impact of CVE-2018-14654
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 5.4. It poses a low attack complexity and requires low privileges to exploit, potentially leading to the creation of empty files on the server.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-14654
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows an attacker with privileged access to mount volumes to abuse the 'GF_XATTROP_ENTRY_IN_KEY' xattrop, resulting in the creation of empty files on the destination server.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: GlusterFS
- Vendor: The Gluster Project
- Versions affected: Up to 4.1.4
Exploitation Mechanism
The attacker needs privileged access to mount volumes to exploit the vulnerability and generate empty files on the destination server.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-14654 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Restrict privileged access to mount volumes.
- Monitor file creation activities on the server.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch the Gluster file system.
- Implement least privilege access controls.
- Conduct security audits and assessments periodically.
- Stay informed about security advisories and updates.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the Gluster file system is updated to a version beyond 4.1.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.