CVE-2020-10018 – This CVE describes a critical memory corruption... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-10018?

CVE-2020-10018 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This CVE describes a critical memory corruption vulnerability (use-after-free) in WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit browsers that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. Users of affected browser versions on Linux systems are vulnerable when visiting malicious websites. The vulnerability has been patched in version 2.28.0.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a critical memory corruption vulnerability (use-after-free) in WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit browsers that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. Users of affected browser versions on Linux systems are vulnerable when visiting malicious websites. The vulnerability has been patched in version 2.28.0.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

WebKitGTK
WPE WebKit

Versions: All versions through 2.26.4

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected WebKit versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects browsers and applications using WebKitGTK or WPE WebKit rendering engines on Linux systems.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with full system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal data, or create persistent backdoors.

🟠

Likely Case

Browser crash leading to denial of service, with potential for limited code execution in browser context.

🟢

If Mitigated

Browser sandboxing may limit impact to browser process only, preventing full system compromise.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Attackers can exploit via malicious websites without user interaction beyond visiting the site.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could be targeted via phishing or compromised internal websites.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Use-after-free vulnerabilities typically require specific memory manipulation knowledge but can be reliably exploited.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.28.0

Vendor Advisory: https://bugs.webkit.org/show_bug.cgi?id=204342

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update WebKitGTK or WPE WebKit to version 2.28.0 or later using your distribution's package manager. 2. Restart all applications using WebKit. 3. Verify the update was successful.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable JavaScript

all

Disabling JavaScript prevents exploitation but breaks most website functionality

Browser-specific: Set javascript.enabled to false in about:config or browser settings

Use alternative browser

linux

Temporarily use browsers not based on affected WebKit versions

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement network filtering to block access to untrusted websites
Use application sandboxing/containerization to limit potential damage

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WebKitGTK or WPE WebKit version: `webkit2gtk-4.0 --version` or check package manager

Check Version:

webkit2gtk-4.0 --version || rpm -q webkit2gtk3 || dpkg -l | grep webkit

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify version is 2.28.0 or higher: `webkit2gtk-4.0 --version | grep -q '2\.2[8-9]\|2\.[3-9]' && echo 'Patched'`

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Browser crash logs with memory access violations
Segmentation faults in WebKit processes

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from browser processes
Suspicious JavaScript execution patterns

SIEM Query:

process_name:webkit AND (event_type:crash OR memory_violation:*)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-10018

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-416

Published: March 2, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00008.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.webkit.org/show_bug.cgi?id=204342#c21 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DOR5LPL4UASVAR76EIHCL4O2KGDWGC6K/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GLERWAS2LL7SX2GHA2DDZ2PL3QC5OHIF/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202006-08 Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4310-1/ Third Party Advisory
https://webkitgtk.org/security/WSA-2020-0003.html Vendor Advisory
https://wpewebkit.org/security/WSA-2020-0003.html Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4641 Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00008.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.webkit.org/show_bug.cgi?id=204342#c21 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DOR5LPL4UASVAR76EIHCL4O2KGDWGC6K/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GLERWAS2LL7SX2GHA2DDZ2PL3QC5OHIF/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202006-08 Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4310-1/ Third Party Advisory
https://webkitgtk.org/security/WSA-2020-0003.html Vendor Advisory
https://wpewebkit.org/security/WSA-2020-0003.html Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4641 Third Party Advisory

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