CVE-2018-20031 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue has been identified in FlexNet Publisher version 11.16.1.0 and earlier, specifically in the lmgrd and vendor daemon components, which could potentially lead to a Denial of Service attack. In this vulnerability, a malicious remote attacker can exploit a flaw in the preemptive item deletion functionality by sending a specific sequence of messages to lmgrd or the vendor daemon. This causes the heartbeat communication between lmgrd and the vendor daemon to be disrupted, ultimately resulting in the shutdown of the vendor daemon.

Understanding CVE-2018-20031

This CVE relates to a Denial of Service vulnerability in FlexNet Publisher.

What is CVE-2018-20031?

CVE-2018-20031 is a vulnerability in FlexNet Publisher version 11.16.1.0 and earlier, affecting the lmgrd and vendor daemon components. It allows a remote attacker to disrupt the heartbeat communication between lmgrd and the vendor daemon, leading to a shutdown of the vendor daemon.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20031

The vulnerability can be exploited by a malicious remote attacker to launch a Denial of Service attack, causing disruption in the communication between lmgrd and the vendor daemon, resulting in the shutdown of the vendor daemon.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20031

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is related to preemptive item deletion in lmgrd and vendor daemon components of FlexNet Publisher version 11.16.1.0 and earlier. It allows a remote attacker to send specific messages to disrupt the heartbeat between lmgrd and the vendor daemon, leading to the shutdown of the vendor daemon.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FlexNet Publisher
Vendor: Flexera Software LLC
Versions Affected: 11.16.1.0 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

A malicious remote attacker can exploit a flaw in the preemptive item deletion functionality by sending a specific sequence of messages to lmgrd or the vendor daemon.
This disrupts the heartbeat communication between lmgrd and the vendor daemon, resulting in the shutdown of the vendor daemon.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20031 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Flexera Software LLC.
Ensure timely application of patches to secure systems against potential threats.