Information disclosure in kernel vhost
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-200.
Summary
Linux kernel vhost since version 4.8 does not properly initialize memory in messages passed between virtual guests and the host operating system in the vhost/vhost.c:vhost_new_msg() function. This can allow local privileged users to read some kernel memory contents when reading from the /dev/vhost-net device file.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kernel | vhost | since 4.8 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- vhost Vendorkernel Affected since 4.8 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.8 to before 4.18 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 16.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 18.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.8 to before 4.18 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 18.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Remediation
Red Hat 3 advisories
- RHSA-2018:3096 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7 +7
- RHSA-2018:2948 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-alt security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) kernel-4.14.0-115.el7a, kernel-abi-whitelists-4.14.0-115.el7a, kernel-alt-4.14.0-115.el7a +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) kernel-debug-devel-4.14.0-115.el7a, kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.14.0-115.el7a
- RHSA-2018:3083 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-957.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-957.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-957.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-957.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-957.el7 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-957.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-957.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-957.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) kernel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-bootwrapper-3.10.0-957.el7 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-957.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-957.el7
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:2948, RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:2948, RHSA-2018:3083 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3096 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2018:3096 |
Not affected: 9 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7)
- Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-1118
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-h6c2-frm7-53hm
References
More kernel vulnerabilities
- TI-2014-07400 Blkid in util-linux before 2.26rc-1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2020-14100 An issue was discovered in hwclock.13-v2.27 allows attackers to gain escalated privlidges… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.7
- TI-2021-02893 A logic error was found in the libmount library of util-linux in the function that allows… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
- TI-2015-04386 The mkostemp function in login-utils in util-linux when used incorrectly allows remote… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-21863 util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.7
- TI-2024-18667 wall in util-linux through 2.40, often installed with setgid tty permissions, allows… CVSS 3.1LOW 3.3
Sources
- CVE-2018-1118 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-1118 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-h6c2-frm7-53hm · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-1118 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences