Linux Kernel up to 4.19.13 Page Cache mm/mincore.c mincore information disclosure

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 4.19.13. Impacted is the function mincore of the file mm/mincore.c of the component Page Cache Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to information disclosure. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2019-5489. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 4.19.13 (Operating System). It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function mincore of the file mm/mincore.c of the component Page Cache Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a information disclosure vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. CVE summarizes:

The mincore() implementation in mm/mincore.c in the Linux kernel through 4.19.13 allowed local attackers to observe page cache access patterns of other processes on the same system, potentially allowing sniffing of secret information. (Fixing this affects the output of the fincore program.) Limited remote exploitation may be possible, as demonstrated by latency differences in accessing public files from an Apache HTTP Server.

The bug was discovered 01/07/2019. The weakness was released 01/07/2019 by Alex (Website). The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2019-5489 since 01/07/2019. The attack needs to be approached locally. The successful exploitation requires a single authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1592.

The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 157907 (Oracle Enterprise Linux Security Update for Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2019-4528)).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 106478†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-134037, VDB-134461, VDB-135170 and VDB-135204. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.0
• 4.19.1
• 4.19.2
• 4.19.3
• 4.19.4
• 4.19.5
• 4.19.6
• 4.19.7
• 4.19.8
• 4.19.9
• 4.19.10
• 4.19.11
• 4.19.12
• 4.19.13

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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