CVE-2018-10901: linux linux_kernel Improper Initialization
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2018-10901 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Improper Initialization vulnerability in linux linux_kernel. EPSS estimates a 0.52% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 44.2% of scored vulnerabilities.
Not severe (CVSS 7.8, local access); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 5Timeline
- 26-07-2018PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 05-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
A flaw was found in Linux kernel's KVM virtualization subsystem. The VMX code does not restore the GDT.LIMIT to the previous host value, but instead sets it to 64KB. With a corrupted GDT limit a host's userspace code has an ability to place malicious entries in the GDT, particularly to the per-cpu variables. An attacker can use this to escalate their privileges.
CVSS metrics
6 scores · 3 sources · 3 versions- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated7.8HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.52%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
44%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 0.52% on 04-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: local access, low-privilege account, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Redhat4 products
[unknown]1 product
- kernel:n/a
Linux1 product
- linux_kernel< 2.6.36
Ubuntu1 product
- linux-azure-edgeAll versions (No fix recorded)
4 vendors · 7 products
References
14 links- www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.htmlX Refsource MISCPatchThird Party Advisory
Show all 14 references
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2018-10901X Refsource CONFIRMIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory