procps-ng before version 3.3.15 is vulnerable to a local privilege escalation in top.
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 25 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-829.
Summary
procps-ng before version 3.3.15 is vulnerable to a local privilege escalation in top. If a user runs top with HOME unset in an attacker-controlled directory, the attacker could achieve privilege escalation by exploiting one of several vulnerabilities in the config_file() function.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [UNKNOWN] | procps-ng, procps | procps-ng 3.3.15 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- procps-ng, procps Vendor[UNKNOWN] Affected procps-ng 3.3.15 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 9
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:procps-ng_project:procps-ng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.3.15 | Vulnerable | Procps-ng Project |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* | 12.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 14.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 16.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 17.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 18.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:a:procps-ng_project:procps-ng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.3.15 Vulnerable ·Procps-ng Project
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* Versions 12.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 14.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 17.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 18.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
Red Hat 4 advisories
- RHSA-2020:1464 Released 2020-04-14 · Red Hat rating Moderateprocps-ng security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) procps-ng-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) procps-ng-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2, procps-ng-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2.ppc
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2, procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2.ppc, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) procps-ng-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-23.el7_6.2
- RHSA-2020:1265 Released 2020-04-01 · Red Hat rating Moderateprocps-ng security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) procps-ng-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) procps-ng-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4, procps-ng-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4.ppc
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4, procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4.ppc, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-17.el7_5.4
- RHSA-2020:0595 Released 2020-02-25 · Red Hat rating Moderateprocps-ng security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) procps-ng-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) procps-ng-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) procps-ng-3.3.10-16.el7_4.2
Show 1 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2019:2189 Released 2019-08-06 · Red Hat rating Moderateprocps-ng security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) procps-ng-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-26.el7, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) procps-ng-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-26.el7, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) procps-ng-3.3.10-26.el7, procps-ng-3.3.10-26.el7.ppc
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-26.el7, procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-26.el7.ppc, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) procps-ng-3.3.10-26.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) procps-ng-devel-3.3.10-26.el7, procps-ng-i18n-3.3.10-26.el7
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — openSUSE-SU-2019:2376
4 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 3 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01043 Integer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 45
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
- TI-2018-01042 Stack-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 42
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — openSUSE-SU-2019:2379
4 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 3 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01043 Integer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 45
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
- TI-2018-01042 Stack-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 42
Show 4 more groups
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — USN-3658-1
4 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 3 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01043 Integer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 45
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
- TI-2018-01042 Stack-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 42
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — DSA-4208
4 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 3 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01043 Integer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 45
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
- TI-2018-01042 Stack-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 42
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — USN-3658-3
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 2 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
- TI-2018-01042 Stack-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 42
- Advisory ·
[UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procps — GLSA-201805-14
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-01040 Heap-based buffer overflow in [UNKNOWN] procps-ng, procpsPriority MEDIUM 44
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Ansible Tower 3.4 for RHEL 7 Server | Fixed | — |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1265 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1265 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1265 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1265 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0595 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2189 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1464 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-1122
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mphr-mvhq-p32f
References
Advisory 11
- USN-3658-1
- DSA-4208
- GLSA-201805-14
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180531 [SECURITY] [DLA 1390-1] procps security update
- USN-3658-3
- [oss-security] 20180517 Qualys Security Advisory - Procps-ng Audit Report
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2018-1122
- RHSA-2019:2189
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2376
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2379
- RHSA-2020:0595
Sources
- CVE-2018-1122 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-1122 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mphr-mvhq-p32f · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-1122 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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