CVE-2018-6554 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

The Linux kernel prior to version 4.17 has a memory leak vulnerability in the irda_bind function, allowing local users to cause denial of service by repeatedly binding an AF_IRDA socket.

Understanding CVE-2018-6554

What is CVE-2018-6554?

The CVE-2018-6554 vulnerability is a memory leak issue in the Linux kernel before version 4.17, specifically within the irda_bind function.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6554

This vulnerability can be exploited by local users to create a denial of service situation by repeatedly binding an AF_IRDA socket, leading to excessive memory consumption.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6554

Vulnerability Description

The memory leak in the irda_bind function in net/irda/af_irda.c and later in drivers/staging/irda/net/af_irda.c in the Linux kernel before 4.17 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by repeatedly binding an AF_IRDA socket.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Linux Kernel
Vendor: Linux Kernel
Versions Affected: Before 4.17

Exploitation Mechanism

Local users can exploit this vulnerability by repeatedly binding an AF_IRDA socket, causing excessive memory consumption.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor to update the Linux kernel to version 4.17 or later.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor advisories and security updates for patching instructions and guidance.