#VU13369 Permissions, privileges, and access controls in Linux kernel - CVE-2018-10853

Vulnerability identifier: #VU13369

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [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/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-10853

CWE-ID: CWE-264

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

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

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists in the way Linux kernel KVM hypervisor emulates instructions, such as sgdt/sidt/fxsave/fxrstor. A local unprivileged user on a guest system can gain write access to kernel space on the same guest system.

Mitigation
The vulnerability is fixed in the versions 4.4.138, 4.9.10, 4.14.50, 4.16.16, 4.17.2.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 4.4 - 4.4.137, 4.9 - 4.9.9, 4.14 - 4.17.1

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External links
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.109
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.4.138
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.17.2
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.16.16
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.14.50

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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.