Privilege escalation in Linux kernel - CVE-2018-18559

Vulnerability identifier: #VU15526

CSH Severity: Low

CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-18559

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of a certain multithreaded case involving packet_do_bind unregister and packet_notifier register actions after a race condition between fanout_add, from setsockopt, and a bind on an AF_PACKET socket. A local attacker can execute a program or file that submits malicious input, trigger a use-after-free condition and execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Linux kernel
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power 9
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM 64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM System z (Structure A)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - AUS
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - TUS
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian - Extended Update Support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems - Extended Update Support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux EUS Compute Node
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian - Extended Update Support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Update Support
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for x86_64 - Extended Update Support

MRG Realtime
kernel (Red Hat package)
kernel-rt (Red Hat package)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server for Power LE - Update Services for SAP Solutions
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server for x86_64 - Update Services for SAP Solutions
kernel-alt (Red Hat package)
Red Hat Virtualization Host

Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any solutions addressing the vulnerability.

kernel (Red Hat package) - addressed in versions 3.10.0-514.71.1.el7, 3.10.0-693.47.2.el7, 3.10.0-862.44.2.el7, 3.10.0-957.5.1.el7
kernel-rt (Red Hat package) - addressed in versions 3.10.0-693.47.2.rt56.641.el6rt, 3.10.0-957.5.1.rt56.916.el7
kernel-alt (Red Hat package) - update to 4.14.0-115.17.1.el7a

• https://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/3731

• Privilege escalation in Linux Kernel
• Red Hat update for kernel-rt
• Red Hat update for kernel
• Red Hat 7.5 update for kernel
• Red Hat update for kernel
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Extended Update Support update for kernel
• Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2 update for kernel-rt
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 update for kernel-alt