gpsd Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability [CVE-2018-17937]

CVE Number – CVE-2018-17937

A vulnerability in the gpsd service daemon could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.

The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-suppled input by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a request that submits malicious JSON input to a targeted system through TCP Port 2947. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system. 

The vendor has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

Analysis

• To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be on the same shared physical or logical network as the targeted system in order to send a malicious request to the system. This access requirement may reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Safeguards

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
  
  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
  
  Administrators are advised to run both firewall and antivirus applications to minimize the potential of inbound and outbound threats.
  
  Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems.
  
  Administrators can help protect affected systems from external attacks by using a solid firewall strategy.
  
  Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.

Vendor Announcements

• US-CERT has released a security advisory at the following link: ICSA-18-310-01

Fixed Software

• The vendor has released software updates at the following link: gpsd 3.18 or later