Vulnerability identifier: #VU14177

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 7.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-14611

CWE-ID: CWE-416

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 gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to use-after-free error in the btrfs_check_chunk_valid() function, as defined in the source code file fs/btrfs/volumes.c. A local attacker can mount a specially crafted Btrfs filesystem that submits malicious input, trigger memory corruption in the try_merge_free_space() function and cause the affected software to terminate abnormally or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges..

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in system compromise.

Mitigation
Update to version 4.17.11.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 4.17 - 4.17.10, 4.16 - 4.16.18, 4.15 - 4.15.18

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External links
http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=199839

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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.