CVE-2019-19081 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
A memory leak in the nfp_flower_spawn_vnic_reprs() function in drivers/net/ethernet/netronome/nfp/flower/main.c in the Linux kernel before 5.3.4 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption), aka CID-8ce39eb5a67a.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19081 represents a critical memory management flaw within the Linux kernel's networking subsystem, specifically affecting the Netronome NFP (Netronome Flow Processor) driver. This issue resides in the nfp_flower_spawn_vnic_reprs() function located in drivers/net/ethernet/netronome/nfp/flower/main.c, where improper memory handling leads to systematic resource exhaustion. The vulnerability affects kernel versions prior to 5.3.4, making it a widespread concern across numerous production systems that have not yet been updated. The flaw manifests as a memory leak that occurs during the virtual network interface representation spawning process, which is integral to the NFP's flow processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory deallocation practices within the driver's flow processing logic. When the nfp_flower_spawn_vnic_reprs() function is invoked, typically during network interface configuration or reconfiguration operations, it fails to properly release allocated memory structures. This memory leak accumulates over time as the function is repeatedly called, leading to progressive memory consumption that can eventually exhaust available system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where memory management is critical for system stability and performance. The flaw can be triggered through normal network operations that involve flow processing or interface management, making it exploitable through legitimate system usage patterns rather than requiring specialized attack vectors.
The operational impact of this memory leak vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion to potentially compromise entire system availability. As memory consumption increases steadily, the system experiences degraded performance, increased latency, and ultimately may become unresponsive or crash entirely. This creates a denial of service condition that can affect network connectivity and overall system functionality. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in high-throughput networking environments where the NFP driver is heavily utilized, such as in data center switches, network appliances, or high-performance computing clusters. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of memory allocation and deallocation, and represents a classic example of resource exhaustion attacks that can be leveraged for system disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19081 focus primarily on kernel version updates, which provide the most effective resolution by incorporating the patched nfp_flower_spawn_vnic_reprs() function with proper memory management practices. System administrators should prioritize updating to Linux kernel version 5.3.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the memory leak. Additionally, monitoring systems should be implemented to track memory consumption patterns and detect anomalous usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also consider implementing resource limits and memory monitoring tools to detect early signs of memory exhaustion before it leads to complete system failure. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, underscores the importance of implementing robust monitoring and response procedures. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory management issues within their kernel-based systems and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting their infrastructure.