CVE-2019-15938 : Security Advisory and Response

Pengutronix barebox through version 2019.08.1 is susceptible to a remote buffer overflow vulnerability in the nfs_readlink_req function.

Understanding CVE-2019-15938

This CVE involves a buffer overflow issue in Pengutronix barebox, potentially leading to security risks.

What is CVE-2019-15938?

The vulnerability in Pengutronix barebox before version 2019.08.1 allows for a remote buffer overflow due to the direct use of a length field in a memcpy operation within the fs/nfs.c file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15938

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15938

Pengutronix barebox is affected by a critical buffer overflow vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the improper handling of a length field in the nfs_readlink_req function, leading to a buffer overflow during a memcpy operation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Pengutronix barebox
Versions: All versions prior to 2019.08.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests to trigger the buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or DoS.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-15938, users and administrators should take immediate action to secure their systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by Pengutronix to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Pengutronix barebox is updated to version 2019.08.1 or later to eliminate the buffer overflow vulnerability.