Vulnerability identifier: #VU13069

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 3 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-11508

CWE-ID: CWE-200

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information.

The vulnerability exists in the compat_get_timex function, as defined in the kernel/compat.c source code file due to an uninitialized struct field in compat adjtimex system calls. A local attacker can send a compat adjtimex system call that submits malicious input and access sensitive kernel memory content, which could be used to conduct further attacks.

Mitigation
Update to version 4.16.9.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 4.16 - 4.16.8

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External links
http://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=0a0b98734479aa5b3c671d...
http://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.16.9

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.