CVE-2018-6557

Insecure temporary file use in base-files

HIGH
7
CVSS Score
Published: August 21, 2018 at 04:00 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:02 AM UTC
3 products affected across 3 vendorsUbuntu LinuxBase FilesBase Files

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Severity
HIGH7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.4%

Description

The MOTD update script in the base-files package in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS before 10.1ubuntu2.2, and Ubuntu 18.10 before 10.1ubuntu6 incorrectly handled temporary files. A local attacker could use this issue to cause a denial of service, or possibly escalate privileges if kernel symlink restrictions were disabled.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 10.1ubuntu2.2
Affected range stops below 10.1ubuntu2.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

References (3)

VDB Entryx_refsource_BIDThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105148
VDB Entryx_refsource_SECTRACKBroken LinkThird Party Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041530
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTU
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3748-1/

CVSS

Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
HIGH
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-59

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