CVE-2018-25062 in ElementalX
Summary
by MITRE • 01/01/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in flar2 ElementalX up to 6.x. Affected is the function xfrm_dump_policy_done of the file net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c of the component ipsec. The manipulation leads to denial of service. Upgrading to version 7.00 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 1df72c9f0f61304437f4f1037df03b5fb36d5a79. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-217152.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
This vulnerability resides within the flar2 ElementalX ipsec implementation and specifically targets the xfrm_dump_policy_done function located in net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c. The flaw represents a denial of service condition that can be triggered through manipulation of the ipsec component's policy handling mechanisms. The vulnerability affects versions up to 6.x and demonstrates how improper handling of policy dump operations can lead to system instability. The technical implementation involves the xfrm_user subsystem which manages ipsec policies and their associated operations, making it a critical component for network security infrastructure. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of resources during policy operations, which can be classified as a CWE-400 weakness related to resource exhaustion or improper resource management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially compromise the entire ipsec framework within affected systems. When exploited, the denial of service condition can prevent legitimate users from establishing secure ipsec connections, effectively disabling network security features that rely on these policies. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to systematically degrade network security infrastructure, particularly in environments where ipsec is critical for maintaining secure communications between network segments. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in kernel-level components can have significant implications for overall system security posture, as ipsec policies form the foundation for secure network communications in many enterprise environments.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 7.00 which includes the patch identified by commit hash 1df72c9f0f61304437f4f1037df03b5fb36d5a79. This upgrade addresses the root cause by properly handling the policy dump completion function and ensuring that resources are correctly managed during ipsec policy operations. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as it directly addresses the resource management flaw that leads to the denial of service condition. The patch implementation follows standard security practices for kernel-level vulnerabilities and aligns with industry best practices for maintaining secure network infrastructure. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper vulnerability management processes, as the issue could have been prevented through timely patching. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as it allows for system-level disruption through exploitation of kernel components. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all ipsec implementations are kept current with security patches to maintain network integrity and availability.