CVE-2019-20810 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-20810, a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel prior to version 5.6. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
In the Linux kernel prior to version 5.6, a vulnerability exists in the go7007_snd_init function in the drivers/media/usb/go7007/snd-go7007.c file, leading to a memory leak. This issue is identified as CID-9453264ef586.
Understanding CVE-2019-20810
This CVE pertains to a specific flaw in the Linux kernel that can result in a memory leak due to a failure to invoke snd_card_free in certain error scenarios.
What is CVE-2019-20810?
The go7007_snd_init function in the Linux kernel fails to call snd_card_free upon encountering an error, causing a memory leak. This vulnerability is tracked as CID-9453264ef586.
The Impact of CVE-2019-20810
The vulnerability can lead to a memory leak, potentially affecting system performance and stability.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-20810
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The go7007_snd_init function in drivers/media/usb/go7007/snd-go7007.c in the Linux kernel before version 5.6 does not invoke snd_card_free in case of a failure, resulting in a memory leak.
Affected Systems and Versions
- The Linux kernel versions prior to 5.6 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
- An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service or other adverse effects by triggering the memory leak.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20810 involves taking specific steps to mitigate the risk and prevent exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the Linux kernel to version 5.6 or newer to address this vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the memory leak.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the kernel and other software components to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement proper error handling mechanisms in code to prevent memory leaks and other security issues.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to fix the memory leak vulnerability.