CVE-2019-19966 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A denial of service vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel prior to version 5.1.6 due to a use-after-free issue in the cpia2_exit() function.

Understanding CVE-2019-19966

This CVE identifies a denial of service vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

What is CVE-2019-19966?

This vulnerability, known as CID-dea37a972655, is caused by a use-after-free issue in the cpia2_exit() function within the drivers/media/usb/cpia2/cpia2_v4l.c file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19966

The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service attack on systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 5.1.6.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19966

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free issue in the cpia2_exit() function can be exploited to trigger a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions before 5.1.6.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service by leveraging the use-after-free issue in the cpia2_exit() function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19966 requires specific actions to mitigate the risk.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Linux kernel to version 5.1.6 or newer to address the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories and apply patches promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the Linux kernel and apply them as soon as they are available.