CVE-2019-19071 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue exists in the Linux kernel through version 5.3.11 where the rsi_send_beacon() function can lead to a memory leak, potentially causing a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2019-19071

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could be exploited by attackers to trigger a denial of service.

What is CVE-2019-19071?

The vulnerability lies in the rsi_send_beacon() function in the Linux kernel, allowing attackers to cause a denial of service by inducing failures in the rsi_prepare_beacon() function.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19071

Exploiting this flaw can lead to a memory leak, resulting in a denial of service condition on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19071

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the rsi_send_beacon() function in the Linux kernel through version 5.3.11 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service by causing memory consumption through rsi_prepare_beacon() failures.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel through version 5.3.11
Affected Function: rsi_send_beacon() in drivers/net/wireless/rsi/rsi_91x_mgmt.c

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by triggering failures in the rsi_prepare_beacon() function, leading to memory leaks and denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19071 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers promptly.
Monitor for any unusual memory consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Linux kernel maintainers and apply patches as soon as they are released.