CVE-2019-0148

What it actually does

Resource leak in the i40e network driver allows a local authenticated user to trigger denial of service by exhausting driver resources.

Why it matters to the business

Affected systems using Intel Ethernet 700 Series controllers may suffer network outages or loss of connectivity, disrupting operations that depend on reliable network access.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker with local authenticated access to a system using a vulnerable controller performs operations that repeatedly trigger the resource leak in the i40e driver, leading to gradual resource exhaustion and eventual denial of service.

How to fix it

Update Intel Ethernet 700 Series drivers and associated firmware for all listed controllers to versions that resolve the resource leak; apply vendor patches as they become available.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm driver and firmware versions on affected systems match or exceed Intel's resolved releases; validate network stability and resource usage under load after updates.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain local authenticated access on a system with an affected Intel Ethernet 700 Series controller
2. Interact with the network interface or driver in a manner that triggers the resource leak
3. Repeat triggering actions to exhaust available resources until denial of service occurs

How to detect it

Examine system and driver logs for repeated resource allocation failures or exhaustion events tied to the network interface; look for patterns of local activity immediately preceding network service degradation.

What your security team should do

• Apply available Intel driver and firmware updates to all affected Ethernet 700 Series controllers without delay
• Limit local user privileges on systems hosting these controllers to reduce exposure surface
• Monitor Intel security advisories for new fixed versions and schedule deployment