CVE-2019-19070 : What You Need to Know

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in the spi_gpio_probe() function within the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.11, potentially leading to a denial of service attack. The impact and mitigation steps are detailed below.

Understanding CVE-2019-19070

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2019-19070?

The spi_gpio_probe() function in the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.11 has a memory leak vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this flaw to trigger a denial of service by causing failures in the devm_add_action_or_reset() function. The vulnerability identifier is CID-d3b0ffa1d75d. However, there is a debate among third parties regarding the significance of this vulnerability if the system was already out of memory before the probe execution.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19070

The memory leak vulnerability in the spi_gpio_probe() function can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service, specifically by inducing failures in the devm_add_action_or_reset() function. The disputed nature of the significance of this vulnerability adds complexity to its impact assessment.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19070

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the spi_gpio_probe() function in drivers/spi/spi-gpio.c in the Linux kernel up to version 5.3.11, resulting in a memory leak.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel up to version 5.3.11
Affected Component: spi_gpio_probe() function
Versions: All versions up to 5.3.11

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by deliberately causing failures in the devm_add_action_or_reset() function, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor system memory usage regularly to detect any abnormal patterns.
Apply patches or updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper memory management practices in the system's design.
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from the Linux kernel community.
Promptly apply patches released to address the memory leak vulnerability in the spi_gpio_probe() function.