CVE-2018-16838 : Security Advisory and Response

SSSD (System Security Services Daemon) has a vulnerability related to Group Policy Objects implementation that could allow unintended access to authenticated users.

Understanding CVE-2018-16838

This CVE involves a flaw in the way SSSD handles Group Policy Objects, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2018-16838?

The vulnerability in SSSD allows all authenticated users to log in if the server has overly strict permission settings that prevent SSSD from reading the GPO.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16838

CVSS Score: 5.4 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: None

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16838

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from SSSD's incorrect handling of overly strict permission settings, allowing unintended access to authenticated users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: SSSD
Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
Affected Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited when the server has restrictive permission settings that prevent SSSD from reading the GPO, leading to unintended user access.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Review and adjust permission settings to ensure SSSD can read the GPO correctly.
Monitor user logins for any unusual activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update SSSD and related components to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address any misconfigurations that could lead to unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by the vendor to mitigate the vulnerability.