CVE-2019-15926
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath6kl wireless driver allows out-of-bounds memory access when processing specific WMI events. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service on affected systems. Systems running Linux kernels before version 5.2.3 with ath6kl wireless hardware are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
Ubuntu Linux by Canonical
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, kernel privilege escalation, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially requiring physical access to restart.
If Mitigated
System crash with no data loss if proper segmentation and access controls prevent privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires wireless network access and ability to send crafted WMI events to the vulnerable driver.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel 5.2.3 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.2.3
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version 5.2.3 or later. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ath6kl driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable wireless driver module
echo 'blacklist ath6kl' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ath6kl.conf
rmmod ath6kl
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable wireless interfaces using ath6kl hardware
- Implement network segmentation to isolate wireless networks from critical systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version: uname -r. If version is earlier than 5.2.3 and ath6kl module is loaded (lsmod | grep ath6kl), system is vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is 5.2.3 or later: uname -r. Confirm ath6kl module is either not loaded or updated.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- System crashes or reboots without clear cause
Network Indicators:
- Unusual wireless traffic patterns
- Malformed WMI packets on wireless interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="kern.log" AND ("ath6kl" OR "WMI" OR "kernel panic")🔗 References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00064.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00066.html
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.2.3
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=5d6751eaff672ea77642e74e92e6c0ac7f9709ab
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00014.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00015.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00025.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191004-0001/
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K32034450
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K32034450?utm_source=f5support&%3Butm_medium=RSS
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4145-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4147-1/
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00064.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00066.html
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.2.3
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=5d6751eaff672ea77642e74e92e6c0ac7f9709ab
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00014.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00015.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00025.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191004-0001/
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K32034450
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K32034450?utm_source=f5support&%3Butm_medium=RSS
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4145-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4147-1/
