CVE-2019-15925 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.2.3. An out of bounds access exists in the function hclge_tm_schd_mode_vnet_base_cfg in the file drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hns3pf/hclge_tm.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15925 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the Linux kernel version 5.2.2 and earlier. This issue resides in the hardware-specific network driver implementation for HiSilicon HNS3 network adapters, specifically within the function hclge_tm_schd_mode_vnet_base_cfg located in the drivers/net/ethernet/hisilicon/hns3/hns3pf/hclge_tm.c source file. The flaw manifests during the configuration of traffic management scheduling modes for virtual networks, indicating a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the traffic management subsystem of the HiSilicon HNS3 driver implementation. When the hclge_tm_schd_mode_vnet_base_cfg function processes configuration parameters for virtual network scheduling, it fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations. This oversight creates an opportunity for attackers to trigger memory corruption through carefully crafted inputs that cause the kernel to access memory outside of the intended allocated boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially lead to privilege escalation or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context with elevated privileges. This presents a significant threat to system integrity and availability, particularly in environments where multiple users or untrusted processes have access to the system. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 5.2.3, which includes numerous enterprise and embedded deployments that may not have received timely updates. The exploitation of this flaw could result in complete system compromise, denial of service conditions, or unauthorized data access, making it a critical concern for security administrators and system operators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15925 primarily focus on applying the official kernel patch released with Linux kernel version 5.2.3 and subsequent releases. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to ensure protection against this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the attack surface, while monitoring for unusual system behavior or memory access patterns may aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array index bounds, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms and restricting access to network driver interfaces to minimize exposure opportunities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected kernel versions and ensure comprehensive protection coverage.