CVE-2017-18379 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
In the Linux kernel before 4.14, an out of boundary access happened in drivers/nvme/target/fc.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18379 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the Linux kernel's NVMe over Fabrics target implementation specifically in the fiber channel driver component. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 4.14 and resides in the drivers/nvme/target/fc.c source file, making it a kernel-level security weakness that could potentially compromise system integrity and availability. The flaw manifests when processing certain fiber channel protocol commands that are part of the NVMe over Fabrics communication stack, which enables high-performance storage networking through fiber channel infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the fiber channel target driver implementation. When the kernel processes incoming NVMe commands through the fiber channel interface, it fails to properly validate the size or boundaries of data structures being manipulated, leading to memory access beyond allocated buffer limits. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and more broadly aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write operations. The vulnerability creates an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted NVMe over Fabrics commands could trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18379 extends beyond simple system instability, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable kernel versions. Systems utilizing NVMe over Fabrics storage configurations with fiber channel transport are particularly at risk, including enterprise storage arrays, data center servers, and any infrastructure relying on high-speed storage networking. The vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing standard operating system security mechanisms and potentially leading to complete system compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and demonstrates how kernel-level vulnerabilities can be leveraged for broader attack objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18379 primarily focus on kernel version updates to 4.14 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the out-of-bounds access issue. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those hosting storage infrastructure or enterprise servers utilizing NVMe over Fabrics with fiber channel transport. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to NVMe over Fabrics endpoints, monitoring for unusual NVMe command patterns, and employing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unused NVMe over Fabrics functionality when not required, reducing the attack surface. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking on buffer operations and ensuring that all memory access operations within the fiber channel target driver remain within allocated memory boundaries, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds condition that could lead to memory corruption and potential privilege escalation.