Linux Kernel 4.19.83 fs/debugfs/inode.c debugfs_remov use after free ⚔ [Disputed]

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel 4.19.83. This issue affects the function debugfs_remov of the file fs/debugfs/inode.c. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2019-19770. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. There are still doubts about whether this vulnerability truly exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel 4.19.83 (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is the function debugfs_remov of the file fs/debugfs/inode.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel 4.19.83, there is a use-after-free (read) in the debugfs_remove function in fs/debugfs/inode.c (which is used to remove a file or directory in debugfs that was previously created with a call to another debugfs function such as debugfs_create_file).

The weakness was released 12/12/2019. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2019-19770. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/05/2025).

The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 222852 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2019-19770), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

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 Tenable (222852). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-147150, VDB-147149 and VDB-147148. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.83

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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