CVE-2018-12233 Memory corruption in n/a
An unprivileged user can trigger memory corruption in the Linux kernel JFS filesystem via setxattr calls, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2018-12233?
CVE-2018-12233 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 12 Jun 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
In the ea_get function in fs/jfs/xattr.c in the Linux kernel through 4.17.1, a memory corruption bug in JFS can be triggered by calling setxattr twice with two different extended attribute names on the same file. This vulnerability can be triggered by an unprivileged user with the ability to create files and execute programs. A kmalloc call is incorrect, leading to slab-out-of-bounds in jfs_xattr.
Weakness: CWE-119
Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-12233?
It affects 2 products.
Products include Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2018-12233?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2018-12233 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-12233 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Canonical Ubuntu Linux
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2018-12233, GHSA-wwc3-55gv-x4c8, UBUNTU-CVE-2018-12233.