CVE-2018-10241 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-10241, a denial of service vulnerability in SolarWinds Serv-U versions prior to 15.1.6 HFv1. Find out how an authorized user can crash the application and the steps to mitigate the risk.
SolarWinds Serv-U versions prior to 15.1.6 HFv1 contain a security flaw that can be exploited by an authorized user to cause the application to crash. The vulnerability allows for a denial of service attack through a specially crafted URL.
Understanding CVE-2018-10241
This CVE involves a denial of service vulnerability in SolarWinds Serv-U before version 15.1.6 HFv1, enabling an authenticated user to crash the application using a specific URL.
What is CVE-2018-10241?
The vulnerability in SolarWinds Serv-U versions prior to 15.1.6 HFv1 allows an authorized user to crash the application by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference using a modified URL.
The Impact of CVE-2018-10241
The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, causing the application to crash and potentially disrupting file transfer operations.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-10241
SolarWinds Serv-U CVE-2018-10241 involves the following technical aspects:
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in SolarWinds Serv-U versions before 15.1.6 HFv1 allows an authenticated user to crash the application by utilizing a specially crafted URL starting with the /Web%20Client/ section.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: SolarWinds Serv-U
- Vendor: SolarWinds
- Versions affected: Prior to 15.1.6 HFv1
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploited by an authorized user sending a modified URL that triggers a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a crash in the application.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-10241, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update SolarWinds Serv-U to version 15.1.6 HFv1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
- Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and updates provided by SolarWinds promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.