CVE-2018-9416 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2024
In sg_remove_scat of scsi/sg.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to an unusual root cause. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9416 resides within the SCSI generic (sg) subsystem of the Linux kernel, specifically in the sg_remove_scat function located in scsi/sg.c. This flaw represents a memory corruption issue that arises from an unusual root cause within the kernel's handling of SCSI generic device operations. The vulnerability affects the kernel's ability to properly manage scatter-gather lists during device removal operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious code to exploit memory management inconsistencies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the SCSI generic subsystem. When the sg_remove_scat function processes scatter-gather lists during device removal, it fails to properly validate the memory structures being manipulated, leading to potential buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. This memory corruption occurs during the cleanup phase of SCSI device operations and can be triggered through legitimate kernel operations involving SCSI generic device interfaces. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation involves heap memory management issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9416 extends to local privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker with basic system access could potentially elevate their privileges to kernel level execution. This represents a significant security risk as it allows for unauthorized code execution with the highest system privileges, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability requires system execution privileges for exploitation but does not necessitate user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through kernel-level operations. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain root access, modify system files, install persistent backdoors, or extract sensitive information from the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9416 primarily involve applying the official kernel security patches released by the Linux kernel development team. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include the fixes provided by the maintainers, particularly focusing on versions containing the patched sg.c implementation. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual kernel behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider employing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how kernel-level vulnerabilities can be leveraged for system compromise without requiring user interaction, making it a critical target for immediate remediation efforts.