CVE-2018-1426 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM GSKit software for DB2 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows systems has a vulnerability that duplicates the PRNG state during fork() system calls, potentially leading to duplicate session IDs and key material.

Understanding CVE-2018-1426

This CVE involves a vulnerability in IBM's GSKit software used for DB2 on various operating systems.

What is CVE-2018-1426?

The vulnerability in IBM GSKit for DB2 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows systems allows the PRNG state to be duplicated during fork() system calls, which can result in the generation of duplicate session IDs and key material.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1426

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 7.4. It can lead to potential confidentiality and integrity impacts due to the generation of duplicate cryptographic material.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1426

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs when multiple instances of the IBM Cryptographic Connector (ICC) are loaded simultaneously, causing the PRNG state duplication during fork() system calls.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows
Versions Affected: 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by loading multiple ICC instances simultaneously, triggering the duplication of the PRNG state.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-1426, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by IBM to fix the vulnerability.
Monitor IBM's security advisories for updates and guidance.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM GSKit and DB2 installations.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest patches and updates from IBM to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.