CVE-2019-15221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem has been detected in the Linux kernel version 5.1.17 and earlier. The sound/usb/line6/pcm.c driver can experience a NULL pointer dereference due to the presence of a harmful USB device.

Understanding CVE-2019-15221

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.1.17. There is a NULL pointer dereference caused by a malicious USB device in the sound/usb/line6/pcm.c driver.

What is CVE-2019-15221?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference due to a harmful USB device in the sound/usb/line6/pcm.c driver.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15221

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

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15221

The technical details of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the sound/usb/line6/pcm.c driver of Linux kernel versions prior to 5.1.17.

Affected Systems and Versions

Linux kernel versions 5.1.17 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker inserting a harmful USB device, triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the sound/usb/line6/pcm.c driver.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2019-15221, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Linux kernel to version 5.1.17 or later to address the vulnerability.
Monitor USB device connections for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by Linux distributions and vendors.
Apply security updates promptly to ensure the protection of your systems.