// For flags

CVE-2018-16888

systemd: kills privileged process if unprivileged PIDFile was tampered

Severity Score

4.7
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

It was discovered systemd does not correctly check the content of PIDFile files before using it to kill processes. When a service is run from an unprivileged user (e.g. User field set in the service file), a local attacker who is able to write to the PIDFile of the mentioned service may use this flaw to trick systemd into killing other services and/or privileged processes. Versions before v237 are vulnerable.

Se ha descubierto que systemd no comprueba correctamente el contenido de archivos PIDFile antes de emplearlo para terminar procesos. Cuando un servicio se ejecuta desde un usuario sin privilegios (p.ej. un campo de usuario establecido en el archivo de servicio) un atacante local capaz de escribir en el archivo PIDFile del servicio mencionado podría aprovechar este fallo para engañar a systemd para que termine otros servicios y/o procesos privilegiados. Las versiones anteriores a la v237 son vulnerables.

It was discovered systemd does not correctly check the content of PIDFile files before using it to kill processes. When a service is run from an unprivileged user (e.g. User field set in the service file), a local attacker who is able to write to the PIDFile of the mentioned service may use this flaw to trick systemd into killing other services and/or privileged processes.

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Medium
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
Partial
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2018-09-11 CVE Reserved
  • 2019-01-14 CVE Published
  • 2023-03-08 EPSS Updated
  • 2024-08-05 CVE Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-250: Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
  • CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Systemd Project
Search vendor "Systemd Project"
 Systemd
Search vendor "Systemd Project" for product "Systemd"
 < 237
Search vendor "Systemd Project" for product "Systemd" and version " < 237"
-
Affected
Canonical
Search vendor "Canonical"
 Ubuntu Linux
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux"
 16.04
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux" and version "16.04"
esm
Affected
Canonical
Search vendor "Canonical"
 Ubuntu Linux
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux"
 18.04
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux" and version "18.04"
lts
Affected
Canonical
Search vendor "Canonical"
 Ubuntu Linux
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux"
 19.10
Search vendor "Canonical" for product "Ubuntu Linux" and version "19.10"
-
Affected
Redhat
Search vendor "Redhat"
 Enterprise Linux
Search vendor "Redhat" for product "Enterprise Linux"
 7.0
Search vendor "Redhat" for product "Enterprise Linux" and version "7.0"
-
Affected
Netapp
Search vendor "Netapp"
 Active Iq Performance Analytics Services
Search vendor "Netapp" for product "Active Iq Performance Analytics Services"
--
Affected
Netapp
Search vendor "Netapp"
 Element Software
Search vendor "Netapp" for product "Element Software"
--
Affected