CVE-2018-1106 in PackageKit
Summary
by MITRE
An authentication bypass flaw has been found in PackageKit before 1.1.10 that allows users without administrator privileges to install signed packages. A local attacker can use this vulnerability to install vulnerable packages to further compromise a system.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1106 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within PackageKit, a widely used package management framework in Linux distributions. This issue affects versions prior to 1.1.10 and fundamentally undermines the security model of package installation by allowing unprivileged users to bypass the necessary administrative authentication requirements. The flaw resides in the package management system's handling of signed package installations, creating a pathway for local attackers to execute malicious software without proper authorization. PackageKit serves as a central interface for managing software packages across various desktop environments and system configurations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of administrative privileges during package installation processes. When users attempt to install signed packages through PackageKit, the system should verify that the executing user possesses the necessary administrator credentials before proceeding with the installation. However, due to a flaw in the authentication logic, this verification mechanism can be circumvented by local attackers who exploit specific conditions within the package management workflow. The vulnerability specifically impacts the handling of signed packages, where the system should normally require administrator approval to install software that could potentially modify system-critical components or introduce malicious code into the operating environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1106 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent vector for system compromise that can be leveraged by attackers to establish footholds within target environments. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can install malicious packages that may contain backdoors, rootkits, or other malicious payloads designed to maintain persistent access to compromised systems. The ability to install signed packages without proper authorization means that attackers can potentially bypass security controls that rely on package signatures as a verification mechanism. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant weakness in the principle of least privilege that governs secure system administration practices. The attack surface is particularly broad since PackageKit is integrated into numerous desktop and server distributions, making the vulnerability applicable across diverse computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1106 primarily focus on immediate system updates to PackageKit version 1.1.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize updating their PackageKit implementations and verify that all affected systems have received the security patches. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized package installations and establish network segmentation controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the critical role that package management systems play in overall system security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that may include initial access, persistence, and defense evasion mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and enhanced logging of package management activities to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.