CVE-2018-1120: canonical ubuntu_linux Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-1120 is a medium (CVSS 5.3) Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in canonical ubuntu_linux. EPSS estimates a 7.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 94.2% of scored vulnerabilities. 2 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 20-06-2018
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 05-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A flaw was found affecting the Linux kernel before version 4.17. By mmap()ing a FUSE-backed file onto a process's memory containing command line arguments (or environment strings), an attacker can cause utilities from psutils or procps (such as ps, w) or any other program which makes a read() call to the /proc/<pid>/cmdline (or /proc/<pid>/environ) files to block indefinitely (denial of service) or for some controlled time (as a synchronization primitive for other attacks).

• CWE-122Heap-based Buffer OverflowThe product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
• CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory BufferThe product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary.