CVE-2019-19044 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel versions prior to 5.3.11 could allow attackers to launch denial of service attacks by causing excessive memory consumption.

Understanding CVE-2019-19044

This CVE identifies two memory leaks in a specific function within the Linux kernel, potentially leading to denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2019-19044?

The vulnerability resides in the v3d_submit_cl_ioctl() function in the Linux kernel versions before 5.3.11, allowing attackers to trigger memory leaks and initiate denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19044

The memory leaks in the v3d_submit_cl_ioctl() function can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service attack, resulting in excessive memory consumption within affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19044

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves two instances of memory leaks in the v3d_submit_cl_ioctl() function in the Linux kernel versions prior to 5.3.11.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Linux kernel versions before 5.3.11
Vulnerable Function: v3d_submit_cl_ioctl() in drivers/gpu/drm/v3d/v3d_gem.c

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the memory leaks by triggering failures in kcalloc() or v3d_job_init(), leading to a denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to mitigate the impact of CVE-2019-19044.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to Linux kernel version 5.3.11 or later to address the memory leak vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any signs of excessive memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper security configurations and access controls to prevent unauthorized exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to fix the memory leak vulnerability.