CVE-2018-7492 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A system crash and denial-of-service vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernel prior to version 4.14.7. This vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the net/rds/rdma.c __rds_rdma_map() function, exploitable by local attackers through specific commands.

Understanding CVE-2018-7492

This CVE entry describes a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can lead to system crashes and denial-of-service attacks.

What is CVE-2018-7492?

CVE-2018-7492 is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability found in the Linux kernel before version 4.14.7. It exists in the __rds_rdma_map() function within the net/rds/rdma.c file and can be exploited locally using certain commands.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7492

This vulnerability allows local attackers to trigger a system panic and cause denial-of-service conditions on affected systems. By exploiting the vulnerability through specific commands, attackers can disrupt system operations and potentially crash the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7492

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE-2018-7492 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the __rds_rdma_map() function in the Linux kernel before version 4.14.7. It is specifically related to the RDS_GET_MR and RDS_GET_MR_FOR_DEST commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: Linux kernel versions prior to 4.14.7
Affected Components: net/rds/rdma.c __rds_rdma_map() function

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local attackers using the RDS_GET_MR and RDS_GET_MR_FOR_DEST commands to trigger a NULL pointer dereference, leading to system crashes and denial-of-service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-7492 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the Linux kernel (4.14.7 or newer) to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Linux kernel to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and privilege management to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by Linux distributions or kernel developers to address CVE-2018-7492 and other related vulnerabilities.