CVE-2019-14901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Researchers discovered a heap overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x, up to version 4.18.0, specifically in the Marvell WiFi chip driver. Exploiting this flaw enables a malicious individual to remotely trigger a system crash, leading to a denial of service or the execution of unauthorized code. The primary risk associated with this vulnerability lies in the system's accessibility. In the event of successful code execution, the executed code will operate with root-level permissions, thereby impacting the confidentiality and integrity of files within the system.

Understanding CVE-2019-14901

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2019-14901 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2019-14901?

CVE-2019-14901 is a heap overflow vulnerability found in the Linux kernel versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x, up to version 4.18.0, specifically in the Marvell WiFi chip driver. It allows remote attackers to trigger a system crash, leading to a denial of service or unauthorized code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14901

The vulnerability poses a high risk to affected systems due to the potential for remote attackers to crash the system or execute unauthorized code, compromising confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14901

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2019-14901.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2019-14901 is a heap overflow vulnerability in the Marvell WiFi chip driver of Linux kernel versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x, up to version 4.18.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kernel
Vendor: Red Hat
Versions affected: All kernel versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x before 4.18.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Adjacent Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
CVSS Base Score: 8.8 (High)
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2019-14901 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Red Hat or respective vendors promptly.
Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for updates.
Implement network security measures to restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface.

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor-specific security advisories for patching instructions and updates.