Detect Linux Kernel Integer Overflow in create_elf_tables (CVE-2018-14634) in Elastic Security
CVE-2018-14634 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's create_elf_tables() function, triggered during process execution via the execve syscall. A local unprivileged attacker can exploit this flaw to achieve privilege escalation to root by crafting a binary with an extremely large argument list. This vulnerability exists in Linux kernel versions 2.6.x through 4.14.x and is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Privilege Escalation
Elastic Detection Query
sequence by host.name, user.id with maxspan=5m
[process where event.type == "start"
and process.name in ("bash", "sh", "dash", "ksh", "zsh", "python", "python3", "perl")
and length(process.args_count) > 0
and process.args_count > 100]
[process where event.type == "start"
and user.effective.id == "0"
and user.id != "0"
and process.parent.name in ("bash", "sh", "dash", "ksh", "zsh", "python", "python3", "perl")]Uses EQL sequence detection to correlate high-argument-count process executions with subsequent root process spawning from a non-root user, indicative of CVE-2018-14634 exploitation via integer overflow in create_elf_tables.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Build systems and CI/CD pipelines with large command-line argument counts
- Legitimate setuid binaries that spawn privileged child processes
- Sudo and su commands used in normal administrative workflows
- Container entrypoint scripts that escalate to root during initialization
Other platforms for CVE-2018-14634
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate Large Argument execve Invocation
Expected signal: Auditd logs an execve syscall record with an unusually large a1 or args array. Process creation event logged with high argument count.
- Test 2Check for Vulnerable Kernel Version
Expected signal: Process execution of uname and package manager commands logged via auditd or endpoint telemetry.
- Test 3Exploit Binary Drop and Execute Simulation (Lab Only)
Expected signal: File creation in /tmp, chmod syscall, bash script execution, and id command execution all logged via auditd. File write to /tmp from a non-root user.
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