CVE-2019-19338 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2019-19338, a vulnerability in Linux Kernel versions prior to 5.5 affecting Intel CPUs. Learn about the exploitation mechanism, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability was discovered in the fix for CVE-2019-11135 within the Linux upstream kernel versions prior to 5.5. This vulnerability pertains to how Intel CPUs handle the speculative execution of instructions in the event of a TSX Asynchronous Abort (TAA) error. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps related to this CVE.
Understanding CVE-2019-19338
This section provides insights into the nature and implications of CVE-2019-19338.
What is CVE-2019-19338?
CVE-2019-19338 is a vulnerability found in the Linux kernel versions before 5.5, affecting how Intel CPUs manage speculative execution during a TSX Asynchronous Abort error. Specifically, it impacts guests running on Cascade Lake CPUs when the host has 'TSX' enabled.
The Impact of CVE-2019-19338
The primary concern associated with CVE-2019-19338 is the high confidentiality impact on data due to the failure of guests to utilize the VERW mechanism for clearing affected buffers.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-19338
Explore the technical aspects of CVE-2019-19338 to understand its implications.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the incorrect handling of speculative execution by Intel CPUs during a TSX Asynchronous Abort error, leading to a data confidentiality risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Linux Kernel
- Vendor: [UNKNOWN]
- Versions Affected: Before 5.5
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Local
- Confidentiality Impact: High
- Privileges Required: Low
- User Interaction: None
- Scope: Unchanged
- Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-19338.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Ensure that systems running on Cascade Lake CPUs with 'TSX' enabled are updated to version 5.5 or higher.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or data breaches.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring mechanisms to safeguard sensitive data.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.