CVE-2019-11683 : Security Advisory and Response

A denial of service vulnerability in the Linux kernel versions 5.x before 5.0.13, known as the "GRO packet of death" issue, allows remote attackers to cause memory corruption or achieve other effects by sending UDP packets with a payload size of 0.

Understanding CVE-2019-11683

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt system operations.

What is CVE-2019-11683?

The "GRO packet of death" issue in the Linux kernel versions 5.x before 5.0.13 enables remote attackers to trigger memory corruption or other unspecified effects by sending UDP packets with a payload size of 0 due to mishandling of padded packets.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11683

This vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition, causing memory corruption that may result in slab-out-of-bounds errors or potentially allow attackers to achieve other impacts on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11683

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The udp_gro_receive_segment function in net/ipv4/udp_offload.c in the Linux kernel 5.x before 5.0.13 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially have other impacts via UDP packets with a payload size of 0, due to mishandling of padded packets.

Affected Systems and Versions

Linux kernel versions 5.x before 5.0.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending UDP packets with a payload size of 0, triggering memory corruption due to mishandling of padded packets.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-11683 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious UDP packets.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to ensure all security patches are applied.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Update to Linux kernel version 5.0.13 or later to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.