CVE-2018-1655 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
IBM AIX 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2 contains a vulnerability in the rmsock command that may be used to expose kernel memory. IBM X-Force ID: 144748.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1655 affects IBM AIX operating system versions 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2, specifically within the rmsock command functionality. This issue represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that allows attackers to potentially access kernel memory contents through improper handling of socket operations. The flaw exists in the system's socket management mechanisms where the rmsock command fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before processing socket-related operations. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which describes improper output handling that can lead to information exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory access controls within the kernel-level socket removal process, creating a pathway for unauthorized memory access that could reveal sensitive system information including kernel addresses, memory layout details, and potentially confidential data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the rmsock command processes socket removal operations without adequate validation of the socket descriptor parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that triggers the vulnerable code path in the kernel, allowing them to read kernel memory addresses and potentially extract information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The flaw specifically manifests in how the system handles socket cleanup operations, where improper memory management leads to information disclosure. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by unauthenticated attackers to gather system intelligence. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with critical insights into the target system's memory layout, kernel structures, and potential security mechanisms that could be used in subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1655 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked kernel memory information can significantly aid in advanced exploitation techniques including kernel address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypasses and privilege escalation attempts. System administrators and security professionals must recognize that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where AIX systems serve as critical infrastructure components. The exposure of kernel memory can reveal information about system internals that would normally be protected, potentially enabling attackers to craft more sophisticated attacks against the affected systems. Organizations running these AIX versions face increased risk of compromise, especially in environments where system information is valuable for attack planning or where the systems are exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple AIX versions indicates a widespread impact that requires immediate attention from security teams responsible for maintaining these systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1655 should focus on immediate patching of affected IBM AIX systems through official IBM security updates and fixes. Organizations must ensure that all systems running AIX 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, or 7.2 receive the appropriate security patches as released by IBM to address the kernel memory exposure issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel memory protection mechanisms and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility and prevent service disruptions. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts that may leverage the information disclosure characteristics of this vulnerability, as the leaked kernel information could enable more sophisticated attack vectors.