CVE-2019-19060 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
A memory leak in the adis_update_scan_mode() function in drivers/iio/imu/adis_buffer.c in the Linux kernel before 5.3.9 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption), aka CID-ab612b1daf41.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19060 represents a critical memory management flaw within the Linux kernel's industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem, specifically affecting the adis driver used for communication with Analog Devices industrial sensors. This memory leak occurs in the adis_update_scan_mode() function located in drivers/iio/imu/adis_buffer.c, which is part of the kernel's buffer handling mechanism for inertial measurement units. The flaw enables attackers to repeatedly trigger memory allocation operations without proper deallocation, leading to progressive memory exhaustion that ultimately results in system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the IIO buffer subsystem where the adis_update_scan_mode() function fails to correctly release previously allocated memory resources when updating scan modes for sensor data collection. This function is responsible for configuring the data acquisition parameters of ADIS-series sensors, but due to insufficient memory cleanup operations, each invocation of the function consumes additional memory without corresponding release operations. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker can repeatedly call the scan mode update functionality, causing the kernel's memory allocator to progressively consume available system memory until the system becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to embedded systems and industrial control environments where Linux kernel versions prior to 5.3.9 are deployed. The memory leak can be exploited through legitimate sensor communication channels, making it particularly dangerous in environments where continuous sensor data acquisition is required. Systems utilizing ADIS-series IMU sensors in automotive applications, industrial automation, or aerospace systems could experience complete service disruption when this vulnerability is exploited. The denial of service condition affects not only the specific sensor subsystem but can potentially cascade into broader system instability, especially in resource-constrained embedded platforms where memory management is critical.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations implementing industrial I/O solutions should prioritize patching their kernel versions to 5.3.9 or later, as this update contains the necessary memory management fixes. Additional mitigations include implementing proper resource monitoring, limiting access to sensor communication interfaces, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous memory usage patterns. The fix implemented in kernel version 5.3.9 ensures proper memory cleanup during scan mode updates, preventing the accumulation of unreleased memory blocks that previously led to system resource exhaustion and denial of service conditions.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel space operations, particularly within real-time embedded systems where resource constraints are severe and system reliability is paramount. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management oversights in kernel subsystems can lead to significant security implications, affecting both availability and system integrity in mission-critical applications.