Read the docs
TI-2018-01037 Aliases CVE-2018-1120GHSA-gq4w-28gq-c8cj

Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] kernel

Priority LOW 34CWE-122Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Denial of service
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
None · None · High
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 19 fixed, 2 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-122 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

A flaw was found affecting the Linux kernel before version 4.17. By mmap()ing a FUSE-backed file onto a process's memory containing command line arguments (or environment strings), an attacker can cause utilities from psutils or procps (such as ps, w) or any other program which makes a read() call to the /proc/<pid>/cmdline (or /proc/<pid>/environ) files to block indefinitely (denial of service) or for some controlled time (as a synchronization primitive for other attacks).

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.07056 94th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 2 exploit referencesTagged by the CNA and NVD
Fix Partial Red Hat: 5 advisoriesRed Hat: 19 fixed, 2 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
[UNKNOWN]kernelkernel 4.17—No fix listedCNA
  • kernel Vendor[UNKNOWN] Affected kernel 4.17 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 8

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*before 4.17VulnerableLinux
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*4.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*8.0VulnerableDebian
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*16.04VulnerableCanonical
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*18.04VulnerableCanonical
  • cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 4.17 Vulnerable ·Linux
  • 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
  • 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

Remediation

Red Hat 5 advisories

  • RHSA-2020:3810 Released 2020-09-22 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    kernel-rt security and bug fix update
    • Red Hat MRG Realtime for RHEL 6 Server v.2 kernel-rt-1:3.10.0-693.76.1.rt56.676.el6rt, kernel-rt-debug-1:3.10.0-693.76.1.rt56.676.el6rt, kernel-rt-debug-devel-1:3.10.0-693.76.1.rt56.676.el6rt +7
  • RHSA-2020:3804 Released 2020-09-22 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    kernel security and bug fix update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) kernel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-debug-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7 +7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) kernel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-bootwrapper-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7 +8
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) kernel-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7, kernel-debug-3.10.0-693.76.1.el7 +7
  • RHSA-2018:3096 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Important
    kernel-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
Show 2 more Red Hat advisories
  • RHSA-2018:2948 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Important
    kernel-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 Important
    kernel 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: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6AffectedNo fix planned: Will not 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 AUS (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3083
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4)Fixed RHSA-2020:3804
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
Red Hat MRG Realtime for RHEL 6 Server v.2Fixed RHSA-2020:3810
Not affected: 9 products
  • 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 Server AUS (v. 7.4)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7)

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-1120
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-gq4w-28gq-c8cj

References

Exploit 2

Patch 2

Advisory 10

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences