CVE-2018-19636 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Understanding CVE-2018-19636

In previous versions of Supportutils, there was a vulnerability that allowed an attacker to execute a malicious script with root privileges.

What is CVE-2018-19636?

The CVE-2018-19636 vulnerability in Supportutils allowed an attacker to execute a malicious script with root privileges by supplying a specific binary.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19636

This vulnerability had a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS base score of 7.3.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19636

Vulnerability Description

Supportutils, prior to version 3.1-5.7.1, when run with the -A command, searched the file system for a specific binary. If an attacker provided this binary at any location, it would be executed with root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Supportutils
Vendor: SUSE
Versions affected: Less than 3.1-5.7.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Supportutils to version 3.1-5.7.1 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for any suspicious activities on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary access.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from SUSE and apply patches promptly to address any new vulnerabilities.