#VU16237 Use-after-free error in Linux kernel - CVE-2018-19824

Vulnerability identifier: #VU16237

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 7.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-19824

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists in the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) driver due to use-after-free error in the usb_audio_probefunction, as defined in the sound/usb/card.c source code file. A local attacker can supply a malicious USB sound device with no interfaces, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: before 4.15.0-r7, 4.15.0, 4.15.1, 4.15.2, 4.15.3, 4.15.4, 4.15.5, 4.15.6, 4.15.7, 4.15.8, 4.15.9, 4.15.10, 4.15.11, 4.15.12, 4.15.13, 4.15.14, 4.15.15, 4.15.16, 4.15.17, 4.15.18, 4.16, 4.16.1, 4.16.2, 4.16.3, 4.16.4, 4.16.5, 4.16.6, 4.16.7, 4.16.8, 4.16.9, 4.16.10, 4.16.11, 4.16.12, 4.16.13, 4.16.14, 4.16.15, 4.16.16, 4.16.17, 4.16.18, 4.17, 4.17.1, 4.17.2, 4.17.3, 4.17.4, 4.17.5, 4.17.6, 4.17.7, 4.17.8, 4.17.9, 4.17.10, 4.17.11, 4.17.12, 4.17.13, 4.17.14, 4.17.15, 4.17.16, 4.17.17, 4.17.18, 4.17.19, 4.18, 4.18.1, 4.18.2, 4.18.3, 4.18.4, 4.18.5, 4.18.6, 4.18.7, 4.18.8, 4.18.9, 4.18.10, 4.18.11, 4.18.12, 4.18.13, 4.18.14, 4.18.15, 4.18.16, 4.18.17, 4.18.18, 4.18.19, 4.18.20, 4.19, 4.19.1, 4.19.2, 4.19.3, 4.19.4, 4.19.5, 4.19.6, 4.15.0-r7

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External links
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/5f8cf712582617d523120df67d392059eaf2fc4b

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.