CVE-2018-6920 : What You Need to Know

A security vulnerability in FreeBSD could potentially lead to the disclosure of kernel memory to userland processes.

Understanding CVE-2018-6920

What is CVE-2018-6920?

Prior to specific versions of FreeBSD, a vulnerability exists due to insufficient memory initialization in the Linux subsystem and Atheros wireless driver, allowing disclosure of kernel memory to userland processes.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6920

This vulnerability could be exploited by unprivileged authenticated local users to access limited amounts of privileged kernel data.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6920

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from inadequate memory initialization copied to the Linux subsystem and Atheros wireless driver, potentially exposing kernel memory to userland processes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FreeBSD
Vendor: FreeBSD
Affected Versions: All supported versions of FreeBSD before 11.1-STABLE(r332303), 11.1-RELEASE-p10, 10.4-STABLE(r332321), and 10.4-RELEASE-p9

Exploitation Mechanism

Unprivileged authenticated local users could exploit the vulnerability to access privileged kernel data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by FreeBSD promptly.
Monitor security advisories for updates and follow best practices for system security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch FreeBSD systems to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize risks.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address any security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by FreeBSD.
Ensure timely application of patches to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.