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CVE Record

CVE-2018-10021: drivers/scsi/libsas/sas_scsi_host.c in the Linux kernel before 4.16 allows local users to cause a denial of...

drivers/scsi/libsas/sas_scsi_host.c in the Linux kernel before 4.16 allows local users to cause a denial of service (ata qc leak) by triggering certain failure conditions. NOTE: a third party disputes the relevance of this report because the failure can only occur for physically proximate attackers who unplug SAS Host Bus Adapter cables

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-10021 is a Linux kernel denial-of-service issue in SAS storage handling before version 4.16. The likely business impact is service disruption on affected hosts, especially systems with SAS Host Bus Adapter hardware. The report is disputed because the failure may require physical access to storage cabling.

Executive priority

Treat this as routine-to-moderate patching for storage-heavy Linux infrastructure, not an emergency. Escalate priority for multi-user servers, data-center systems with SAS HBAs, or environments where physical access controls are weak.

Technical view

The issue is in drivers/scsi/libsas/sas_scsi_host.c and is described as an ata qc leak triggered under certain failure conditions. Sources name Linux kernel before 4.16. Public records provide no CVSS score, no CWE, and no CISA KEV listing.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running kernels before 4.16, particularly hosts using SAS/libsas storage paths or SAS Host Bus Adapters. Systems without relevant SAS hardware or without local or physical attacker access are less likely to be practically exposed.

Exploitation context

The CVE says local users can cause denial of service. It also notes a third-party dispute that the condition may require physically proximate attackers unplugging SAS HBA cables. The provided sources do not support active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CPEs, and detailed affected package ranges. Analysis should stay tied to upstream Linux before 4.16 and vendor advisories. The physical-proximity dispute materially lowers confidence in broad remote or internet-exposed risk.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels using distribution vendor security advisories.
  • Prioritize physical or shared-access hosts with SAS HBA storage hardware.
  • Restrict local shell access on systems with vulnerable kernels.
  • Review Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, and upstream kernel guidance before scheduling maintenance.
  • Reboot into the fixed kernel after package installation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and flag hosts below 4.16.
  • Identify systems using SAS/libsas or SAS Host Bus Adapter hardware.
  • Confirm vendor-fixed kernel packages are installed and running.
  • Check whether affected hosts allow untrusted local users.
  • Avoid production validation that induces storage failure conditions.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2018-10021 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
11Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.