CVE-2019-10140 : What You Need to Know

A security flaw has been discovered in the implementation of overlayfs in Linux kernel versions up to 3.10. Attackers with physical access can exploit a vulnerability in the ovl_posix_acl_create function, leading to a denial of service incident.

Understanding CVE-2019-10140

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's overlayfs implementation.

What is CVE-2019-10140?

The CVE-2019-10140 vulnerability allows attackers with physical system access to trigger a denial of service incident by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference in the ovl_posix_acl_create function.

The Impact of CVE-2019-10140

CVSS Base Score: 5.5 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: Low
CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference

Technical Details of CVE-2019-10140

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the ovl_posix_acl_create function in fs/overlayfs/dir.c can be exploited by attackers to crash the kernel, resulting in a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kernel
Vendor: OpenSource
Affected Versions: up to kernel-3.10

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with the privilege to create directories on overlayfs can exploit the NULL pointer dereference to crash the kernel.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-10140 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant patches and updates promptly.
Restrict physical access to systems to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update the kernel to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential attack surfaces.
Conduct security training to educate users on best practices.
Employ intrusion detection systems to detect and respond to potential attacks.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from reliable sources.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from the Linux kernel maintainers and apply them promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.