CVE-2019-8980 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-8980, a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel versions up to 4.20.11. Find out how attackers can exploit this issue to conduct denial of service attacks and the necessary mitigation steps.
A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel through version 4.20.11 can be exploited by attackers to conduct denial of service attacks. By triggering failures in vfs_read, attackers can cause excessive memory consumption.
Understanding CVE-2019-8980
What is CVE-2019-8980?
The CVE-2019-8980 vulnerability is a memory leak issue in the kernel_read_file function of the Linux kernel versions up to 4.20.11, allowing attackers to execute denial of service attacks.
The Impact of CVE-2019-8980
This vulnerability enables attackers to trigger failures in vfs_read, leading to a denial of service attack by causing excessive memory consumption.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-8980
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the kernel_read_file function in fs/exec.c in the Linux kernel versions up to 4.20.11, allowing attackers to exploit a memory leak.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Up to Linux kernel version 4.20.11
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intentionally triggering failures in vfs_read, resulting in a denial of service attack due to excessive memory consumption.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by Linux distributions promptly.
- Monitor security advisories for updates and apply them as soon as they are available.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
- Implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect abnormal memory consumption.
Patching and Updates
- Keep the Linux kernel up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of memory leak vulnerabilities.