Privilege Escalation in xorg-x11-server
Summary
CVE-2018-14665: A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server before 1.20.3. Affects xorg-server across 3 version ranges.
< 1.20.3-r0
< 8a59e3b7dbb30532a7c3769c555e00d7c4301170
< 50c0cf885a6e91c0ea71fb49fa8f1b7c86fe330e
Fixed in 1.20.3-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
xorg-x11-server is a package that provides the X Window System server, which allows users to run graphical applications on Unix-like operating systems. It is responsible for managing the display hardware and handling user input. This package is widely used in various Linux distributions. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in versions prior to 1.20.3 that allows unprivileged users with physical console access to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with root privileges.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2018-14665, stems from an incorrect permission check for the -modulepath and -logfile options when starting Xorg. This flaw enables attackers with physical console access to the system to exploit the X server and gain root privileges. By leveraging this vulnerability, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the affected system.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.20.3-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade xorg-serverTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating the xorg-x11-server package is not immediately feasible, users can implement the following workaround to mitigate the risk: Restrict physical console access to trusted users only. By limiting access to the system's physical console, the potential for exploitation of this vulnerability is significantly reduced.
Conclusion
The privilege escalation vulnerability in xorg-x11-server poses a significant risk to systems with unprivileged users having physical console access. It is crucial to update the xorg-x11-server package to version 1.20.3 or later to address this vulnerability. Restricting physical console access to trusted users can also help mitigate the risk. For additional assistance and guidance, please reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
xorg-x11-server is a package that provides the X Window System server, allowing users to run graphical applications on Unix-like operating systems.
This vulnerability allows unprivileged users with physical console access to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the affected system.
To fix this vulnerability, update the xorg-x11-server package to version 1.20.3 or later.
Yes, restricting physical console access to trusted users only can mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact info@devnack.com.
References
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