CVE-2019-18811 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.9 allows attackers to conduct denial of service attacks by triggering failures in a specific function.

Understanding CVE-2019-18811

This CVE identifies a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can be exploited for denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2019-18811?

Attackers can exploit a memory leak in the Linux kernel version up to 5.3.9 by triggering failures in the sof_get_ctrl_copy_params() function within sound/soc/sof/ipc.c. This vulnerability enables attackers to carry out a denial of service attack by consuming excessive memory.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18811

Attackers can cause a denial of service by consuming excessive memory.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18811

This section provides technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A memory leak in the sof_set_get_large_ctrl_data() function in sound/soc/sof/ipc.c in the Linux kernel through 5.3.9 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by triggering sof_get_ctrl_copy_params() failures, identified as CID-45c1380358b1.

Affected Systems and Versions

Linux kernel versions up to 5.3.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the memory leak by triggering failures in the sof_get_ctrl_copy_params() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
Monitor system resources for unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest version.
Implement proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly.