Mutagen Astronomy: Linux kernel create_elf_tables() integer overflow local privilege escalation
CVE-2018-14634 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel's create_elf_tables() function during execve() processing on affected 64-bit systems. The flaw is an integer overflow in the calculation of the items count used to build ELF process startup tables: argc and envc can each reach MAX_ARG_STRINGS (0x7FFFFFFF), causing the expression (argc + 1) + (envc + 1) + 1 to overflow a signed integer and become negative. This corrupts subsequent stack size and alignment calculations, causing the userland stack pointer to move in the wrong direction and enabling redirection of the stack into attacker-controlled argument and environment string regions. Qualys reported that this corrupted layout can then be abused during execution of a SUID-root or otherwise privileged binary so that unsafe environment variables such as LD_LIBRARY_PATH or LD_PRELOAD are preserved in a privileged context, ultimately allowing execution with root privileges. Reported vulnerable kernel lines include 2.6.x, 3.10.x, and 4.14.x, with exploitability tied to kernels containing commit b6a2fea39318 and lacking the mitigating change da029c11e6b1.
Are you exposed to this one?
Mallory correlates every CVE against your assets, your vendors, and active adversary campaigns. Know which vulnerabilities matter for you, not just which ones are loud.
Impact, mitigation & remediation
What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.
Impact
What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.
Mitigation
If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.
Remediation
Patch, then assume compromise.
Exploits
1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository contains a proof-of-concept (POC) exploit for CVE-2018-14634, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting versions 2.6.x, 3.10.x, and 4.14.x. The repository consists of a README.md describing the vulnerability and a single C source file (poc-exploit.c) implementing the exploit. The exploit works by crafting a large number of arguments and environment variables, manipulating memory layout, and executing a SUID binary (expected to be present as ./poc-suidbin) to trigger a buffer overflow in the kernel. The code uses temporary files in /tmp for argument vector manipulation. The exploit must be run locally by an attacker with access to the system, and if successful, results in privilege escalation. No network endpoints are involved; the attack vector is purely local. The code is a POC and does not include a weaponized or customizable payload.
Affected products & vendors
Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.
Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
Recent activity
27 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A Linux kernel integer overflow in create_elf_tables() that could allow an unprivileged local user to escalate privileges when executing SUID (or otherwise privileged) binaries; referenced due to inclusion in CISA KEV.
An integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can allow privilege escalation.
Linux kernel integer overflow leading to local privilege escalation (unprivileged user to root) via a buffer overflow condition in create_elf_tables().
A Linux kernel integer overflow in create_elf_tables() that can allow local privilege escalation to root when a local unprivileged user can execute a SUID/privileged binary.
The version that knows your environment.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.