CVE-2019-14901 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
A heap overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel, all versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x before 4.18.0, in Marvell WiFi chip driver. The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a system crash, resulting in a denial of service, or execute arbitrary code. The highest threat with this vulnerability is with the availability of the system. If code execution occurs, the code will run with the permissions of root. This will affect both confidentiality and integrity of files on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14901 represents a critical heap overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's Marvell WiFi chip driver implementation. This issue affects kernel versions 3.x.x and 4.x.x prior to the 4.18.0 release, creating a persistent security risk across multiple kernel generations. The flaw resides in the memory management handling of wireless network drivers, specifically within the Marvell proprietary driver code that manages WiFi communication interfaces. The vulnerability's classification as a heap overflow indicates that malicious input can corrupt adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to unpredictable system behavior and execution of arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is particularly dangerous in kernel space contexts where memory corruption can directly translate to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to trigger system crashes and subsequent denial of service conditions, effectively rendering affected systems unavailable to legitimate users. However, the more severe implications arise when the heap overflow results in code execution, as the malicious payload would run with root privileges, providing complete system control. This privilege escalation capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and enables attackers to access, modify, or delete sensitive system files and data. The vulnerability affects system confidentiality, integrity, and availability, creating a triad of security concerns that can be exploited in various attack scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with wireless driver implementations in kernel space environments. Marvell WiFi chip drivers, being proprietary and often less scrutinized than open-source components, can contain hidden security flaws that remain undetected for extended periods. The timing of this vulnerability's discovery and the extended timeframe of affected kernel versions suggest that the flaw was present for years without proper detection mechanisms. This situation aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1499, covering network denial of service attacks. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant operational risks, as the exploit can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals and nation-state actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14901 require immediate kernel version updates to 4.18.0 or later, where the heap overflow has been addressed through proper memory boundary checks and input validation. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected kernel versions are updated promptly across enterprise networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary WiFi functionality when not required, implementing network segmentation to limit attack surface, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security audits of kernel components, particularly proprietary drivers that may lack community review processes. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel module signing requirements and runtime monitoring to detect unauthorized code execution attempts. Given the root-level execution capability, system integrity verification mechanisms should be strengthened to detect any unauthorized modifications to critical system files or kernel components that might indicate successful exploitation attempts.