CVE Catalog

Actively exploited in the wild

Linux Kernel Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability

Linux - Kernel · Listed in the CISA KEV since 2021-12-10. This indicates confirmed attacks in production environments.

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CVE-2019-13272

HighCVSS 7.8KEV
Published: Updated: Translated: NVD NIST

Summary

In the Linux kernel before 5.1.17, ptrace_link in kernel/ptrace.c mishandles credential recording, allowing local users to gain root access in certain parent-child process scenarios. An object lifetime issue and incorrect marking of ptrace relationship as privileged contribute.

Risk Assessment

A local user can escalate privileges to root, potentially leading to full system compromise.

Recommendation

Update the Linux kernel to 5.1.17 or later; consider enabling SELinux deny_ptrace as a workaround.

Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

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Original NVD description (English source)

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.

Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS