CVE-2019-2521 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security issue was discovered in Oracle VM VirtualBox, affecting versions prior to 5.2.24 and 6.0.2. The vulnerability, with a CVSS score of 7.8, could allow a low privileged attacker to compromise the system.

Understanding CVE-2019-2521

This CVE pertains to a vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization, specifically in the Core subcomponent.

What is CVE-2019-2521?

The vulnerability affects versions earlier than 5.2.24 and 6.0.2 of Oracle VM VirtualBox. It is challenging to exploit but could be abused by a low privileged attacker with access to the infrastructure, potentially leading to a compromise of Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The Impact of CVE-2019-2521

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could result in a complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox. The severity is rated 7.8 on the CVSS scale, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-2521

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a low privileged attacker with access to the infrastructure to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. Attacks may also impact additional products.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: VM VirtualBox
Vendor: Oracle Corporation
Versions Affected:
Less than 5.2.24
Less than 6.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is difficult to exploit but could lead to a complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox if successfully attacked.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-2521, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Oracle VM VirtualBox to versions 5.2.24 or 6.0.2 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox is running.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and apply security patches to all software components.
Conduct security training to educate users on best practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Oracle Corporation and apply patches promptly to secure the system.