Ubuntu 16.04 LTS : Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerability (USN-3548-2)

high Nessus Plugin ID 106373

Synopsis

The remote Ubuntu host is missing a security update.

Description

The remote Ubuntu 16.04 LTS host has a package installed that is affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the USN-3548-2 advisory.

USN-3548-1 fixed vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel for Ubuntu 17.10. This update provides the corresponding updates for the Linux Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel from Ubuntu 17.10 for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

Jay Vosburgh discovered a logic error in the x86-64 syscall entry implementation in the Linux kernel, introduced as part of the mitigations for the Spectre vulnerability. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code.

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Update the affected kernel package.

See Also

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-3548-2

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 106373

File Name: ubuntu_USN-3548-2.nasl

Version: 3.11

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 1/26/2018

Updated: 8/27/2024

Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment AWS, Frictionless Assessment Azure, Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Agentless Assessment, Continuous Assessment, Nessus

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:-:lts, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-1019-oem, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-32-lowlatency, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-32-generic-lpae, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-1007-azure, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-32-generic, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.13.0-1008-gcp

Required KB Items: Host/cpu, Host/Debian/dpkg-l, Host/Ubuntu, Host/Ubuntu/release

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 1/26/2018

Vulnerability Publication Date: 1/26/2018

Reference Information

USN: 3548-2