CVE-2019-15218 : Security Advisory and Response

A problem was found in the Linux kernel prior to version 5.1.8. The drivers/media/usb/siano/smsusb.c driver encounters a NULL pointer dereference due to a harmful USB device.

Understanding CVE-2019-15218

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.1.8. There is a NULL pointer dereference caused by a malicious USB device in the drivers/media/usb/siano/smsusb.c driver.

What is CVE-2019-15218?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows a harmful USB device to trigger a NULL pointer dereference in the drivers/media/usb/siano/smsusb.c driver.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15218

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with physical access to the system via a malicious USB device, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15218

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The drivers/media/usb/siano/smsusb.c driver in the Linux kernel before 5.1.8 encounters a NULL pointer dereference due to a harmful USB device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel before version 5.1.8
Affected Driver: drivers/media/usb/siano/smsusb.c

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker inserting a malicious USB device, triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the affected driver.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-15218, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to Linux kernel version 5.1.8 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid connecting untrusted USB devices to the system to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict USB device usage policies within the organization.
Regularly monitor and update the Linux kernel to patch known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Linux distributions promptly to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-15218.