CVE-2019-19054

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel. The CX23888 Integrated Consumer Infrared Controller probe code handles resource cleanup low memory conditions. A local attacker able to induce low memory conditions could use this flaw to crash the system. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

Statement

This issue is rated as having Low impact because of the preconditions needed to trigger the resource cleanup code path (system-wide out-of-memory condition).

Mitigation

In order to mitigate this issue it is possible to prevent the affected code from being loaded by blacklisting the kernel module cx23885. For instructions relating to how to blacklist a kernel module refer to: https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 .

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Info alert:Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score4.74.7N/A
Attack VectorLocalLocalN/A
Attack ComplexityHighHighN/A
Privileges RequiredLowLowN/A
User InteractionNoneNoneN/A
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedN/A
ConfidentialityNoneNoneN/A
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneN/A
Availability ImpactHighHighN/A

Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Red Hat CVSS v3 Score Explanation

This issue is in the probe code for infrared controller, hence AV:L, potentially AV:P. It needs low memory conditions to fail the allocation and thus trigger the resource cleanup path, hence AC:H.

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Resource Consumption (Other)

If an attacker can trigger the allocation of the limited resources, but the number or size of the resources is not controlled, then the most common result is denial of service. This would prevent valid users from accessing the product, and it could potentially have an impact on the surrounding environment, i.e., the product may slow down, crash due to unhandled errors, or lock out legitimate users. For example, a memory exhaustion attack against an application could slow down the application as well as its host operating system.

Access Control,Other

Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other

In some cases it may be possible to force the product to "fail open" in the event of resource exhaustion. The state of the product -- and possibly the security functionality - may then be compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

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