Vulnerability Note VU#962459
Linux Kernel TCP implementation vulnerable to Denial of Service
Original Release date: 06 Aug 2018 | Last revised: 06 Aug 2018
Overview
The Linux kernel, versions 4.9+, is vulnerable to denial of service conditions with low rates of specially modified packets.
Description
CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (‘Resource Exhaustion’) – CVE-2018-5390
Linux kernel versions 4.9+ can be forced to make very expensive calls to tcp_collapse_ofo_queue() and tcp_prune_ofo_queue() for every incoming packet which can lead to a denial of service. An attacker can induce a denial of service condition by sending specially modified packets within ongoing TCP sessions. Maintaining the denial of service condition requires continuous two-way TCP sessions to a reachable open port. Thus, the attacks cannot be performed using spoofed IP addresses.
Impact
An remote attacker may be able to trigger a denial-of-service condition against a system with an available open port.
Solution
Apply a patch
Patches for the Linux kernel are available to address the vulnerability.
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