CVE-2019-18198 : Security Advisory and Response

A flaw in the fib6 suppression feature in the Linux kernel before version 5.3.4 could allow a local attacker to manipulate memory, leading to memory corruption.

Understanding CVE-2019-18198

What is CVE-2019-18198?

In the Linux kernel before version 5.3.4, a vulnerability exists in the fib6 suppression feature that could be exploited by a malicious local attacker to corrupt memory.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18198

This vulnerability could potentially result in memory corruption, posing a security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18198

Vulnerability Description

A reference count usage error in the fib6_rule_suppress() function of the fib6 suppression feature in net/ipv6/fib6_rules.c can be exploited by a local attacker to corrupt memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The flaw can be abused by a malicious local attacker to manipulate memory, potentially leading to memory corruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
Monitor official sources for updates and security advisories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits of the system.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Linux kernel is regularly updated to the latest version to mitigate the vulnerability.