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CVE Record

CVE-2018-19407: The vcpu_scan_ioapic function in arch/x86/kvm/x86.c in the Linux kernel through 4.19.2 allows local users t...

The vcpu_scan_ioapic function in arch/x86/kvm/x86.c in the Linux kernel through 4.19.2 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and BUG) via crafted system calls that reach a situation where ioapic is uninitialized.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-19407 is a Linux kernel KVM denial-of-service issue. A local user can trigger a kernel crash condition involving an uninitialized IOAPIC path. The known impact is availability loss, not data theft or remote compromise, based on the supplied sources.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate availability risk. Prioritize internet-facing infrastructure operators less than shared Linux and virtualization environments, but patch through normal kernel security maintenance because a local user can crash affected systems.

Technical view

The flaw is in vcpu_scan_ioapic in arch/x86/kvm/x86.c in Linux kernel versions through 4.19.2. Crafted local system calls can reach a state where ioapic is uninitialized, causing a NULL pointer dereference and BUG.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant for Linux systems running affected kernels with KVM code reachable by local users. Virtualization hosts, CI workers, and shared Linux servers deserve priority review. The bundle does not identify affected vendor/product CPEs beyond Linux kernel references.

Exploitation context

The source bundle describes local exploitation for denial of service. It does not provide evidence of active exploitation, and KEV status is false. No remote exploitation or privilege escalation impact is stated in the supplied evidence.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and vendor advisory references. The root condition is an uninitialized ioapic path in KVM’s x86 handling. Avoid assuming broader impact without distro-specific advisories or kernel commit analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the relevant vendor kernel security updates for affected distributions.
  • Reboot into the updated kernel after patch installation.
  • Limit local user and KVM access on vulnerable systems until patched.
  • Check current vendor guidance if running non-Ubuntu or non-Debian kernels.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and flag systems at or below 4.19.2.
  • Confirm whether KVM is enabled and reachable by local users.
  • Verify installed kernel packages match vendor fixed advisories.
  • Confirm the running kernel changed after reboot.
  • Review kernel logs for unexplained BUG or NULL dereference crashes.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
12Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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