Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-1124 affects procps-ng, a common Linux process-utility package. A local user could trigger integer overflows that corrupt heap memory when another user runs affected proc utilities, potentially causing crashes or code execution with that user’s privileges.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for multi-user Linux environments because it can turn local access into broader impact. Internet-only exposure is not indicated by the sources, so remediation should focus on authenticated-user risk, shared infrastructure, and vendor patch compliance.
Technical view
The issue is multiple integer overflows in procps-ng file2strvec, classified as CWE-190 and CWE-122. Sources describe procps-ng before 3.3.15 as vulnerable. CVSS 3.0 is 7.3, with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running vulnerable procps-ng packages, especially shared servers, multi-user environments, and systems where privileged users or automation run proc utilities. Distribution backports may change version strings, so validate against vendor advisories, not upstream version alone.
Exploitation context
The bundle includes an Exploit-DB reference, so public exploit material exists. CISA KEV is false in the provided data, and no cited source in the bundle states active in-the-wild exploitation. Exploitation requires local access and another user interaction path involving affected utilities.
Researcher notes
Key uncertainty is exact downstream affected package versions because distributions often backport fixes. The source bundle supports upstream procps-ng before 3.3.15, heap corruption via file2strvec, local privilege context, and public exploit availability, but not confirmed active exploitation.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the procps-ng security updates from your Linux distribution vendor.
- Confirm systems are fixed according to Ubuntu, Debian, Gentoo, or Red Hat advisories.
- Prioritize shared Linux hosts and systems with untrusted local users.
- Review appliances or bundled products that include procps-ng for vendor updates.
- If no vendor package is available, check vendor guidance before applying manual fixes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux systems for installed procps-ng packages.
- Compare installed package releases against the relevant distribution advisory.
- Identify shared hosts where untrusted users can start processes.
- Check whether privileged users or scheduled jobs run proc utilities on those hosts.
- Track remediation evidence in patch or configuration management records.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-122: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-190: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-1124 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.35.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- USN-3658-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2018-1124CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- DSA-4208CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
- GLSA-201805-14CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
- 44806CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- RHSA-2018:1777CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10241CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180531 [SECURITY] [DLA 1390-1] procps security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- RHSA-2018:2267CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2018:2268CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2018:1700CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://help.ecostruxureit.com/display/public/UADCE725/Security+fixes+in+StruxureWare+Data+Center+Expert+v7.6.0CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- RHSA-2018:1820CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- USN-3658-2CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- https://www.qualys.com/2018/05/17/procps-ng-audit-report-advisory.txtCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- RHSA-2019:1944CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:2401CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Heap-based Buffer Overflow represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Integer Overflow or Wraparound
Integer Overflow or Wraparound represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.