Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability in libnl3: Arbitrary Code Execution Risk
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2017-0553: An elevation of privilege vulnerability in libnl could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Wi-Fi service. Affects libnl3 versions < 3.2.27-2. Fixed in 3.2.27-2. How to fix ↓
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Background
libnl3 is a library that provides a generic netlink interface for communication between the Linux kernel and user-space applications. It is widely used in network-related applications, particularly in managing network interfaces and configurations. The library is critical for applications that require direct interaction with the networking stack, making its security paramount. This vulnerability affects multiple Debian versions, highlighting the importance of maintaining updated libraries to mitigate risks.
Vulnerability Detail
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in libnl could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Wi-Fi service. This issue arises from improper handling of certain operations, allowing attackers to exploit the library if they can compromise a privileged process. The vulnerability is rated as Moderate due to the requirement of prior access to a privileged process, but it remains a significant risk, especially in environments where such access can be obtained.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.2.27-2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libnl3Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, ensure that the Wi-Fi service is not exposed to untrusted applications and limit the execution of applications that require elevated privileges. Additionally, consider using security measures such as application sandboxing to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
The elevation of privilege vulnerability in libnl3 poses a risk of arbitrary code execution within the context of the Wi-Fi service. It is crucial for users to update to the patched version to mitigate this risk. Regular monitoring and updates are essential to maintain security in network-related applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for libnl3 →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows local malicious applications to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the library's handling of operations related to the Wi-Fi service.
The vulnerability affects libnl3 versions prior to 3.2.27-2 across multiple Debian releases.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as limiting access to the Wi-Fi service and using application sandboxing.
While rated as Moderate, the impact can vary based on the environment and the presence of untrusted applications that may exploit the vulnerability.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libnl3.
