Linux Kernel up to 4.20.11 vfs_read fs/exec.c kernel_read_file resource management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 4.20.11. This affects the function kernel_read_file of the file fs/exec.c of the component vfs_read Handler. Performing a manipulation results in resource management. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2019-8980. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 4.20.11 (Operating System). This affects the function kernel_read_file of the file fs/exec.c of the component vfs_read Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a resource management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-399. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

A memory leak in the kernel_read_file function in fs/exec.c in the Linux kernel through 4.20.11 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by triggering vfs_read failures.

The bug was discovered 02/18/2019. The weakness was disclosed 02/21/2019 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2019-8980 since 02/20/2019. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 07/11/2023).

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 3 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 277743 (Fedora Security Update for kernel kernel-headers (FEDORA-2019-7462acf8ba)).

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 106253†). The entries VDB-113072, VDB-123804, VDB-128011 and VDB-128084 are pretty similar. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.20.0
• 4.20.1
• 4.20.2
• 4.20.3
• 4.20.4
• 4.20.5
• 4.20.6
• 4.20.7
• 4.20.8
• 4.20.9
• 4.20.10
• 4.20.11

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion