CVE-2018-5390 : What You Need to Know

A potential denial of service vulnerability exists in Linux kernel versions 4.9 and above due to resource-intensive calls to tcp_collapse_ofo_queue() and tcp_prune_ofo_queue().

Understanding CVE-2018-5390

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-5390?

CVE-2018-5390 is a vulnerability in Linux kernel versions 4.9 and later that allows attackers to trigger resource-intensive calls, potentially leading to a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5390

The vulnerability can be exploited to force the Linux kernel to make costly calls for each incoming packet, potentially causing a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5390

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Linux kernel versions 4.9 and above allows attackers to trigger expensive calls to tcp_collapse_ofo_queue() and tcp_prune_ofo_queue(), leading to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Linux Kernel
Vendor: Linux
Versions affected: 4.9 and above

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted packets to trigger resource-intensive calls, potentially causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5390 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.
Consider implementing network-level protections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches.
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Educate users and administrators about safe computing practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and patches from the Linux vendor.
Apply security updates as soon as they are available to mitigate the risk of exploitation.