CVE-2019-19058 : Security Advisory and Response

A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel through version 5.3.11 can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability is located in the alloc_sgtable() function in drivers/net/wireless/intel/iwlwifi/fw/dbg.c.

Understanding CVE-2019-19058

This CVE involves a memory leak issue in the Linux kernel that can lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2019-19058?

The vulnerability allows attackers to trigger alloc_page() failures, resulting in memory consumption and a denial of service condition.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19058

Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can cause a denial of service in systems running the affected Linux kernel versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19058

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a memory leak in the alloc_sgtable() function in drivers/net/wireless/intel/iwlwifi/fw/dbg.c in the Linux kernel through version 5.3.11.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions up to 5.3.11.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can induce alloc_page() failures to trigger the memory leak, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19058 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates related to the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Consider applying temporary mitigations recommended by security experts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Educate users and administrators about secure coding practices and the importance of timely updates.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to fix the memory leak vulnerability and prevent exploitation.