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CVE Record

CVE-2018-14634: An integer overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel's create_elf_tables() function.

An integer overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel's create_elf_tables() function. An unprivileged local user with access to SUID (or otherwise privileged) binary could use this flaw to escalate their privileges on the system. Kernel versions 2.6.x, 3.10.x and 4.14.x are believed to be vulnerable.

HighCVSS 7.8Known exploitedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel privilege-escalation issue. A person who already has local, low-privileged access to a vulnerable system could potentially become privileged by abusing how the kernel prepares ELF programs, especially through SUID or otherwise privileged binaries.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for internet-facing infrastructure teams and shared Linux environments, because local access can become full system control. Prioritize patching systems with multiple users, admin tooling, or privileged binaries.

Technical view

CVE-2018-14634 is an integer overflow in Linux kernel create_elf_tables(). The supplied record lists kernel 2.6.x, 3.10.x, and 4.14.x as believed vulnerable. CVSS 3.0 is 7.8, local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel lines where unprivileged local users can log in or execute programs and SUID or privileged binaries are present.

Exploitation context

The supplied bundle marks this CVE as KEV and includes an Exploit-DB reference, so exploitation evidence exists. The sources describe local privilege escalation, not remote unauthenticated compromise, and do not provide campaign details.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a local privilege-escalation assessment tied to CWE-190. The bundle does not include exact fixed package versions for every vendor, so distro-specific validation should rely on the linked advisories rather than kernel version assumptions alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel security updates from relevant Red Hat, Ubuntu, NetApp, or F5 advisories.
  • Reboot systems after kernel updates to ensure the fixed kernel is active.
  • Reduce unnecessary local shell access on vulnerable systems.
  • Review and remove unnecessary SUID or privileged binaries where operationally safe.
  • Check vendor guidance for exact affected and fixed package versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and appliances.
  • Map each asset to the relevant vendor advisory and fixed package status.
  • Confirm systems booted into the updated kernel after patching.
  • Review local user access paths on systems that cannot be patched quickly.
  • Document remaining exceptions with compensating controls and owner approval.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

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

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 · low confidence lookup

CWE-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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-14634 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
Yes
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
22Source links

CISA KEV status

Status
Known exploited
Source
CISA / ADP
Date added
Not provided

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2018-14634Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
The Linux Foundationkernel2.6.x, 3.10.x, 4.14.xListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-190

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

CWE-190 · source CWE mapping

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.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs