CVE-2018-20764

A buffer overflow exists in HelpSystems tcpcrypt on Linux, used for BoKS encrypted telnet through BoKS version 6.7.1

published February 8, 2019

CVSS
—
EPSS
1%
Percentile
67.4
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A sneaky buffer overflow in HelpSystems tcpcrypt can lead to privilege escalation on Linux systems using BoKS 6.7.1! 🔥 Think of tcpcrypt like a secure vault for your data, but if the vault door is too weak, a crafty burglar can just push it open and waltz right in. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit that weakness and gain access they shouldn't have! If exploited, an attacker could leverage this oversight to escalate their privileges and gain control over the entire system. Imagine an unauthorized guest suddenly holding the keys to your entire operation – that’s the kind of chaos this could unleash!

Put simply

Think of tcpcrypt like a secure vault for your data, but if the vault door is too weak, a crafty burglar can just push it open and waltz right in. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit that weakness and gain access they shouldn't have! The vulnerability stems from a buffer overflow in the tcpcrypt component, which is setuid, allowing an attacker to execute malicious code with elevated privileges on the affected Linux systems using BoKS 6.7.1.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could leverage this oversight to escalate their privileges and gain control over the entire system. Imagine an unauthorized guest suddenly holding the keys to your entire operation – that’s the kind of chaos this could unleash! To mitigate this vulnerability, it's crucial to patch the tcpcrypt to the latest version immediately. Additionally, review access controls to ensure the setuid permissions are strictly necessary and limit their use wherever possible. You've got this! With a few proactive steps, you can keep your systems safe and sound. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01185 · 67.4th percentile
Published
2019-02-08T17:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 08 FEB 17:00Z
    A buffer overflow exists in HelpSystems tcpcrypt on Linux, used for BoKS encrypted telnet through BoKS version 6.7.1
    cvelistv5