CVE-2019-12614 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in dlpar_parse_cc_property in arch/powerpc/platforms/pseries/dlpar.c in the Linux kernel through 5.1.6. There is an unchecked kstrdup of prop->name, which might allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12614 resides within the Linux kernel's pseries platform implementation on powerpc architecture, specifically in the dlpar_parse_cc_property function located in arch/powerpc/platforms/pseries/dlpar.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited to disrupt system operations through a NULL pointer dereference condition. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel processes dynamic logical partitioning configuration properties during system operation, particularly affecting systems utilizing IBM's PowerVM hypervisor technology where dynamic logical partitioning capabilities are employed.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an unchecked kstrdup operation performed on prop->name without proper validation of the source data. The kstrdup function allocates memory and copies string data, but in this instance, the function is invoked without verifying whether the input parameter prop->name contains valid data or has been properly initialized. This unchecked allocation creates a scenario where a malicious actor could manipulate the input data to cause the kernel to attempt to dereference a NULL pointer during subsequent processing operations. The vulnerability is classified as a NULL pointer dereference under CWE-476, which represents a common class of software defects that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
When exploited, this vulnerability can result in a complete system crash and denial of service, as the kernel's handling of the improperly validated string data leads to an unhandled NULL pointer dereference. The operational impact is significant for enterprise environments relying on high availability systems, as a successful exploitation could cause unexpected system shutdowns or require manual intervention to restore service. Systems running Linux kernel versions through 5.1.6 are particularly vulnerable, making this an important consideration for organizations maintaining older kernel versions. The attack surface is primarily relevant to systems implementing dynamic logical partitioning features, which are commonly found in enterprise server environments and cloud infrastructure deployments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12614 involve immediate kernel version updates to patched releases where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to kernel versions that contain the appropriate fixes, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure date. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where dynamic logical partitioning is actively used. The fix typically involves adding proper validation checks before calling kstrdup functions and implementing robust error handling to prevent NULL pointer dereference conditions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers system shutdown/reboot attacks, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to critical system stability issues that affect operational continuity and availability of enterprise computing resources.