CVE-2019-12499 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Firejail versions prior to 0.9.60 have a vulnerability where the firejail binary on the host can be truncated by executing exploit code within a firejail sandbox and then terminating the sandbox. This vulnerability is similar to CVE-2019-5736.

Understanding CVE-2019-12499

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Firejail versions before 0.9.60 that allows for the truncation of the firejail binary on the host under specific conditions.

What is CVE-2019-12499?

CVE-2019-12499 is a vulnerability in Firejail that enables the resizing of the firejail binary on the host to length 0 by running exploit code within a firejail sandbox and terminating the sandbox. Certain conditions, such as initiating and terminating the jail as root, must be met for the exploit to succeed.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12499

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation on the host system by rendering the firejail binary unusable.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12499

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Firejail versions before 0.9.60 allows for the truncation of the firejail binary on the host by executing specific exploit code within a firejail sandbox and terminating the sandbox.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running Firejail versions prior to 0.9.60
No specific vendor or product information provided

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploit code needs to be executed within a firejail sandbox
The sandbox must be terminated to trigger the vulnerability
Specific conditions include starting and terminating the jail as root

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-12499 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Firejail to version 0.9.60 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability
Avoid running firejail sandboxes with untrusted or potentially malicious code

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict root access

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Firejail to address the vulnerability