#VU18533 Information disclosure in Linux kernel - CVE-2019-11833

Vulnerability identifier: #VU18533

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-11833

CWE-ID: CWE-200

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

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

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to gain access to potentially sensitive information.

The vulnerability exists due to the Linux kernel does not zero out the unused memory region in the extent tree block within the fs/ext4/extents.c. A local user can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on the system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 4.4 - 4.4.180, 4.9 - 4.9.177, 4.14 - 4.19.44, 5.0 - 5.0.21, 5.1 - 5.1.16

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External links
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/592acbf16821288ecdc4192c47e3774a4c48bb64
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.19.45
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.178
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.14.121
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.2
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.4.181

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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.