CVE-2018-1888 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2018-1888 affecting IBM i Access for Windows versions 7.1 and earlier. Find out the impact, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
IBM i Access for Windows versions 7.1 and earlier on Windows are vulnerable to an untrusted search path issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
Understanding CVE-2018-1888
Versions 7.1 and earlier of IBM i Access for Windows on Windows are susceptible to an untrusted search path vulnerability, allowing for arbitrary code execution.
What is CVE-2018-1888?
This vulnerability in IBM i Access for Windows versions 7.1 and earlier on Windows enables attackers to execute arbitrary code by utilizing a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, primarily due to the use of the LoadLibrary function.
The Impact of CVE-2018-1888
- CVSS Base Score: 5.3 (Medium)
- Attack Vector: Local
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Privileges Required: None
- User Interaction: Required
- Confidentiality Impact: Low
- Integrity Impact: Low
- Availability Impact: Low
- Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
- Remediation Level: Official Fix
- Report Confidence: Confirmed
- Vector String: CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:L/AV:L/C:L/I:L/PR:N/S:U/UI:R/E:U/RC:C/RL:O
Technical Details of CVE-2018-1888
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing a malicious DLL in the current directory.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: IBM i Access for Windows
- Vendor: IBM
- Versions Affected: 7.1 and earlier
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the official fix provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
- Avoid running executables from untrusted sources.
- Regularly update antivirus software to detect and prevent malicious files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement secure coding practices to prevent DLL hijacking vulnerabilities.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
- Keep the IBM i Access for Windows software up to date with the latest security patches and updates.