CVE-2018-6922 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2018-6922 affecting FreeBSD versions prior to 11.2-RELEASE-p1, 11.1-RELEASE-p12, and 10.4-RELEASE-p10. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this vulnerability.
In previous versions of FreeBSD, a vulnerability exists in the handling of TCP segments, leading to potential resource exhaustion and network performance degradation.
Understanding CVE-2018-6922
This CVE affects FreeBSD versions prior to 11.2-RELEASE-p1, 11.1-RELEASE-p12, and 10.4-RELEASE-p10.
What is CVE-2018-6922?
The vulnerability stems from an inefficient algorithm used to reassemble TCP segments in FreeBSD, causing excessive CPU usage and network performance issues when exploited by an attacker.
The Impact of CVE-2018-6922
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to degrade network performance and consume excessive CPU on victim systems.
- Even with a low bandwidth cost, the impact on the victim's network and CPU can be significant.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-6922
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The inefficient TCP reassembly algorithm in FreeBSD versions prior to specified releases leads to increased CPU time proportional to the number of segments, enabling attackers to disrupt network performance.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: FreeBSD
- Affected Versions: All versions prior to 11.2-RELEASE-p1, 11.1-RELEASE-p12, 10.4-RELEASE-p10
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit the inefficiency in TCP reassembly handling by sending TCP traffic to victim systems.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-6922 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply relevant patches and updates provided by FreeBSD to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Regularly update and patch systems to address known vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories from FreeBSD and apply patches promptly to secure systems.