CVE-2018-7685 : What You Need to Know
Discover the impact of CVE-2018-7685, a high-severity vulnerability in libzypp versions before 17.5.0, allowing the installation of corrupted RPM files without warnings. Learn how to mitigate and prevent this security risk.
In August 2018, a vulnerability was identified in libzypp, affecting versions prior to 17.5.0. The flaw allowed corrupted RPM files to be stored in the cache during separate download and installation processes, leading to potential security risks.
Understanding CVE-2018-7685
What is CVE-2018-7685?
The vulnerability in libzypp allowed the installation of corrupted RPM files without displaying warnings, due to deceptive warnings only shown during the download phase.
The Impact of CVE-2018-7685
The vulnerability had a high impact, with a CVSS base score of 7.8, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-7685
Vulnerability Description
The decoupled download and installation steps in libzypp before version 17.5.0 could result in corrupted RPM files being left in the cache, allowing installation without warning.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: libzypp
- Vendor: SUSE
- Versions Affected: < 17.5.0
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Local
- Privileges Required: None
- User Interaction: Required
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update libzypp to version 17.5.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Regularly monitor and clean the RPM cache to remove any potentially corrupted files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
- 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 SUSE for libzypp to address known vulnerabilities.