CVE-2018-2901 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel). Supported versions that are affected are 10 and 11.2. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via DHCP to compromise Solaris. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Solaris. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.7 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2901 resides within the Solaris operating system's kernel component, specifically affecting Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite versions 10 and 11.2. This weakness represents a significant security concern for organizations relying on Solaris infrastructure, as it operates at the core kernel level where system stability and security are paramount. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions to be successfully leveraged, the potential impact remains substantial. The attack vector specifically targets network-based access through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which serves as a fundamental component in network infrastructure management. This DHCP-based attack surface presents a unique challenge as DHCP is typically considered a legitimate network service that systems rely upon for proper network operation.
The technical flaw within the kernel implementation allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit this vulnerability through network access points, particularly when the Solaris system is configured to receive DHCP responses. This particular weakness manifests as a partial denial of service condition, where the attacker can disrupt system availability without necessarily gaining full system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 3.7, reflecting the availability impact category as the primary concern. The vector notation CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L indicates that the attack requires network access with high complexity, no privilege requirements, no user interaction, and results in limited availability impact. This scoring emphasizes that while the vulnerability is not trivial to exploit, it does represent a meaningful threat to system availability and network operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2901 extends beyond simple service disruption, as partial denial of service conditions can severely affect business continuity and network infrastructure reliability. Organizations utilizing Solaris 10 and 11.2 systems may experience intermittent network connectivity issues, service interruptions, and potential cascading failures that could affect downstream applications and services. The vulnerability's exploitation through DHCP creates a particularly insidious threat because DHCP is a critical network service that systems depend upon for proper network configuration and operation. This makes the impact more widespread and difficult to isolate, as the attack can potentially affect multiple systems simultaneously within a network segment that relies on the compromised DHCP infrastructure. The partial denial of service nature suggests that while complete system compromise may not occur, the availability of network services could be significantly degraded, impacting operational efficiency and potentially leading to extended downtime.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2901 should focus on network-level protections and system hardening measures that address the DHCP-based attack vector. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious DHCP responses, while also ensuring that Solaris systems are updated with the latest security patches provided by Oracle. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) categories related to kernel-level memory management and network protocol handling suggests that defensive measures should include monitoring for anomalous DHCP traffic patterns and implementing proper network access controls. Security teams should consider deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious DHCP activities and establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of Oracle security updates. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework's methodology for network service exploitation and denial of service attacks provides a relevant context for understanding how this vulnerability might be leveraged, emphasizing the importance of maintaining network integrity and implementing layered security controls to prevent unauthorized access through legitimate network services.