CVE-2018-10931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-10931, a critical vulnerability in Cobbler 2.6.x allowing remote attackers to gain elevated privileges and upload files. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
An investigation uncovered a vulnerability in cobbler 2.6.x, allowing remote unauthenticated attackers to gain elevated privileges and upload files within the daemon's context.
Understanding CVE-2018-10931
This CVE involves a security flaw in the Cobbler project's software, specifically version 2.6.x.
What is CVE-2018-10931?
The vulnerability in Cobbler 2.6.x enables unauthorized users to access all functions within the CobblerXMLRPCInterface class via XMLRPC, potentially leading to privilege escalation and unauthorized file uploads.
The Impact of CVE-2018-10931
The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 9.8 (Critical severity) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can exploit this flaw remotely without requiring any privileges, posing a significant threat to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-10931
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw allows remote and unauthenticated attackers to access all functions within the CobblerXMLRPCInterface class via XMLRPC, leading to potential privilege escalation and unauthorized file uploads.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cobbler
- Vendor: The Cobbler Project
- Version: 2.6.x
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over a network without requiring any user interaction, potentially causing severe impacts on affected systems.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-10931 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Restrict network access to vulnerable systems.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or file uploads.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate risks.
- Educate users on best practices for system security.
- Consider implementing additional security measures such as intrusion detection systems.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches and security fixes to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2018-10931.