CVE-2019-19051 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A memory leak vulnerability in the i2400m_op_rfkill_sw_toggle() function within the Linux kernel before version 5.3.11 can be exploited by attackers to launch a denial of service attack through excessive memory consumption.

Understanding CVE-2019-19051

What is CVE-2019-19051?

The vulnerability in the i2400m_op_rfkill_sw_toggle() function in the Linux kernel allows attackers to trigger a denial of service attack by causing memory consumption.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19051

This vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition due to excessive memory usage, potentially disrupting system operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19051

Vulnerability Description

The memory leak in the i2400m_op_rfkill_sw_toggle() function in the Linux kernel before version 5.3.11 enables attackers to execute a denial of service attack by consuming excessive memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel before version 5.3.11
Vulnerable Function: i2400m_op_rfkill_sw_toggle() in drivers/net/wimax/i2400m/op-rfkill.c

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to initiate a denial of service attack, causing a system to consume excessive memory and potentially crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption that could indicate an ongoing attack.

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 unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Patching and Updates

Update to Linux kernel version 5.3.11 or later to address the memory leak vulnerability in the i2400m_op_rfkill_sw_toggle() function.