CVE-2019-18680 : What You Need to Know

A problem has been identified in the Linux kernel version 4.4.x before 4.4.195, leading to a denial of service vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2019-18680

This CVE involves a NULL pointer dereference in the function rds_tcp_kill_sock() within the file net/rds/tcp.c.

What is CVE-2019-18680?

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel version 4.4.x before 4.4.195 can result in a denial of service attack, also known as CID-91573ae4aed0.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18680

The vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial of service, potentially disrupting system availability and performance.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18680

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

A NULL pointer dereference in the function rds_tcp_kill_sock() in net/rds/tcp.c can be exploited, leading to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel version 4.4.x before 4.4.195
Affected Component: rds_tcp_kill_sock() function

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the specified function, potentially causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-18680, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches and updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
Monitor security advisories for any further developments or patches related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to ensure all security patches are applied.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent potential denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Keep the Linux kernel up to date with the latest patches and security fixes to mitigate the risk of exploitation.