CVE-2018-3979 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2018-3979, a high-severity vulnerability in the Nouveau Display Driver in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS that could lead to remote denial-of-service attacks. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in the Nouveau Display Driver in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS could lead to a remote denial-of-service attack. Learn about the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Understanding CVE-2018-3979
The CVE-2018-3979 vulnerability affects the Nouveau Display Driver in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, potentially allowing remote attackers to trigger denial-of-service conditions.
What is CVE-2018-3979?
The vulnerability in the Nouveau Display Driver could be exploited by malicious actors to cause denial-of-service issues by manipulating GPU shaders.
The Impact of CVE-2018-3979
- CVSS Base Score: 7.4 (High)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Availability Impact: High
- User Interaction: Required
- Scope: Changed
- The vulnerability does not require user privileges for exploitation.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-3979
The technical details of CVE-2018-3979 provide insights into the vulnerability's nature and potential risks.
Vulnerability Description
- The vulnerability lies in how the Nouveau Display Driver handles GPU shader execution.
- By crafting a specific pixel shader, attackers can induce denial-of-service conditions remotely.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Ubuntu 18.04 LTS with the Linux 4.15.0-29-generic x86_64 kernel
- Nouveau Display Driver NV117 (vermagic: 4.15.0-29-generic SMP mod_unload)
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely by tricking users into visiting a malicious website.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-3979 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Nouveau Display Driver to a patched version.
- Avoid visiting untrusted or suspicious websites.
- Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious traffic.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update system software and drivers.
- Educate users on safe browsing practices and potential threats.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by Nouveau or Ubuntu to address the vulnerability.