CVE-2018-5388 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-5388 is a vulnerability found in strongSwan versions prior to 5.6.3, potentially leading to a denial of service due to a lack of packet length verification.

Understanding CVE-2018-5388

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the strongSwan software that could be exploited to cause resource depletion and denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2018-5388?

The vulnerability in stroke_socket.c within strongSwan versions prior to 5.6.3 arises from inadequate packet length verification, allowing a buffer underflow. This weakness could be maliciously exploited to disrupt services and exhaust resources.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5388

If successfully exploited, CVE-2018-5388 could lead to denial of service attacks, potentially causing service interruptions and resource exhaustion.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5388

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in strongSwan versions prior to 5.6.3 is due to a lack of packet length verification in stroke_socket.c, leading to a buffer underflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: strongSwan
Product: strongSwan
Affected Versions: Versions prior to 5.6.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves manipulating packet length verification to trigger a buffer underflow, potentially resulting in denial of service attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5388 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update strongSwan to version 5.6.3 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from strongSwan.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by strongSwan to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-5388.