#VU16514 Race condition in Linux kernel - CVE-2018-14625

Vulnerability identifier: #VU16514

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-14625

CWE-ID: CWE-362

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 weakness exists due to a race condition between connect() and close() function. A local attacker can use the AF_VSOCK protocol to obtain sensitive information possibly intercept or corrupt AF_VSOCK messages destined to other clients.

Mitigation
Update to version 4.14.88.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 4.0 - 4.0.9, 4.1 - 4.19.8, 4.2.0 - 4.2.8, 4.3 - 4.3.6, 4.4.0 - 4.4.89, 4.5.0 - 4.5.7, 4.6 rc1 - 4.6.7, 4.7.0 - 4.7.10, 4.8.0 - 4.8.17, 4.9 - 4.9.144

---

External links
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.14.88
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.20
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.145
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.19.9

---

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.