In the Linux kernel before 5.1.17, ptrace_link in kernel/ptrace.c mishandles the recording of the credentials of a process that wants to create a ptrace relationship, which allows local users to obtain root access by leveraging certain scenarios with a parent-child process relationship, where a parent drops privileges and calls execve (potentially allowing control by an attacker). One contributing factor is an object lifetime issue (which can also cause a panic). Another contributing factor is incorrect marking of a ptrace relationship as privileged, which is exploitable through (for example) Polkit's pkexec helper with PTRACE_TRACEME. NOTE: SELinux deny_ptrace might be a usable workaround in some environments.
:information_source: This issue was automatically re-opened by Mend because the vulnerable library in the specific branch(es) has been detected in the Mend inventory.
CVE-2019-13272 - High Severity Vulnerability
Vulnerable Library - linuxlinux-4.6
The Linux Kernel
Library home page: https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/?wsslib=linux
Found in HEAD commit: 55d3d4cefc3daba58b100af3336832311407cf6f
Found in base branch: master
Vulnerable Source Files (1)
Vulnerability Details
In the Linux kernel before 5.1.17, ptrace_link in kernel/ptrace.c mishandles the recording of the credentials of a process that wants to create a ptrace relationship, which allows local users to obtain root access by leveraging certain scenarios with a parent-child process relationship, where a parent drops privileges and calls execve (potentially allowing control by an attacker). One contributing factor is an object lifetime issue (which can also cause a panic). Another contributing factor is incorrect marking of a ptrace relationship as privileged, which is exploitable through (for example) Polkit's pkexec helper with PTRACE_TRACEME. NOTE: SELinux deny_ptrace might be a usable workaround in some environments.
Publish Date: 2019-07-17
URL: CVE-2019-13272
CVSS 3 Score Details (7.8)
Base Score Metrics: - Exploitability Metrics: - Attack Vector: Local - Attack Complexity: Low - Privileges Required: Low - User Interaction: None - Scope: Unchanged - Impact Metrics: - Confidentiality Impact: High - Integrity Impact: High - Availability Impact: High
For more information on CVSS3 Scores, click here.Suggested Fix
Type: Upgrade version
Origin: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-13272
Release Date: 2019-07-17
Fix Resolution: v5.2
Step up your Open Source Security Game with Mend here