IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2018-14634|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

Linux Kernel Integer Overflow Vulnerability

Linux Kernel contains an integer overflow vulnerability in the create_elf_tables() function which could allow an unprivileged local user with access to SUID (or otherwise privileged) binary to escalate their privileges on the system.

Published Sep 25, 2018 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2026-02-16 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Integer Overflow (CWE-190) vulnerability in Linux Kernel. 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. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running pan-os: 7.1.0 ≤ v < 7.1.23, 8.0.0 ≤ v < 8.0.16, 8.1.0 ≤ v < 8.1.7; big-ip access policy manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip advanced firewall manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip analytics: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip application acceleration manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip application security manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip domain name system: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip edge gateway: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip fraud protection service: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip global traffic manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip link controller: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip local traffic manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip policy enforcement manager: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-ip webaccelerator: 11.2.1 ≤ v < 11.6.4, 12.1.0 ≤ v < 12.1.5, 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.1.1.5, 14.0.0 ≤ v < 14.0.1.1, 14.1.0 ≤ v < 14.1.0.6; big-iq centralized management: 5.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 5.4.0, 6.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 6.0.1, 7.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 7.1.0, 4.6.0; big-iq cloud and orchestration: 1.0.0; enterprise manager: 3.1.1; iworkflow: 2.2.0 ≤ v ≤ 2.3.0; traffix signaling delivery controller: 5.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 5.1.0, 4.4.0; linux kernel: 2.6.0 ≤ v ≤ 2.6.39.4, 3.10 ≤ v ≤ 3.10.102, 4.14 ≤ v ≤ 4.14.54; enterprise linux desktop: 6.0, 7.0; enterprise linux server: 6.0, 7.0; enterprise linux server aus: 6.5, 6.6, 7.6; enterprise linux server eus: 6.7, 7.5, 7.6; enterprise linux server tus: 6.6, 7.6; enterprise linux workstation: 6.0, 7.0; ubuntu linux: 12.04, 14.04; snapprotect: -
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45516/

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.kernel.org/
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-14634
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-14634
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