CVE-2018-19638 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-19638, titled 'User can overwrite arbitrary log files in support tar,' is a vulnerability affecting the 'supportutils' product by SUSE. The issue was made public on February 21, 2019, with a CVSS base score of 2.2.

Understanding CVE-2018-19638

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2018-19638 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-19638?

CVE-2018-19638 allows an unprivileged user, when pacemaker is installed, to overwrite any files in the directory used by supportutils to collect log files in versions prior to 3.1-5.7.1.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19638

The vulnerability has a low base severity score of 2.2, with a high attack complexity and a local attack vector. It requires user interaction and low privileges to exploit, potentially leading to file overwriting.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19638

Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2018-19638 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

In supportutils versions before 3.1-5.7.1, an unprivileged user with pacemaker installed could overwrite files in the log directory used by supportutils.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: supportutils
Vendor: SUSE
Versions Affected: < 3.1-5.7.1
Version Type: Custom

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Integrity Impact: Low
Confidentiality Impact: None
Availability Impact: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the CVE-2018-19638 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update supportutils to version 3.1-5.7.1 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the directory used by supportutils to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file permissions and access controls on critical directories.
Educate users on secure file handling practices to prevent unauthorized overwriting.

Patching and Updates

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