CVE-2019-15107 represents a critical command injection vulnerability within Webmin, a popular web-based interface for system administration. Discovered in versions up to 1.920, this vulnerability exists in the 'old' parameter of the password_change.cgi script, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server. With a CVSS score of 9.8, the severity of this flaw underscores the urgent need for organizations to address it immediately.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant security breaches, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems running vulnerable versions of Webmin. As the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, it presents a high risk to organizations that have not yet applied the necessary patches.
Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability, as it is actively tracked and documented in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating its potential for widespread exploitation in the wild. Immediate action is required to safeguard systems and sensitive data.
The urgency of this vulnerability cannot be overstated, and organizations are advised to consult the vendor's instructions to apply the relevant updates.
Vulnerability Details
An issue was discovered in Webmin <=1.920. The parameter old in password_change.cgi contains a command injection vulnerability. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification of CWE-78, which pertains to OS Command Injection.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that the attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no authentication required.
The vulnerability was published on August 16, 2019, and has since been analyzed for its impact and exploitability. It is vital for organizations using Webmin to assess their systems against this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2019-15107 stems from insufficient input validation in the password_change.cgi script, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands through the vulnerable 'old' parameter. This command injection vulnerability can be exploited over the network, with attackers leveraging it without requiring any privileges or user interaction.
Given the low attack complexity, even users with minimal technical knowledge could execute successful attacks against vulnerable instances of Webmin. The potential impacts include a complete compromise of the target system, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and disruption of services.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated high, indicating that a successful exploitation could lead to a total compromise of the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the possibility of unauthorized remote command execution, leading to data breaches and system compromises. The blast radius for this vulnerability is extensive given Webmin's widespread usage in various environments, including cloud and on-premises infrastructures.
The critical severity level requires organizations to act swiftly. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect any exploitation attempts.
Given that this vulnerability is included in the KEV catalog, organizations should be aware of its active exploitation in the wild and take the necessary precautions.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of Webmin prior to 1.920. Organizations should assess their Webmin installations to determine if they are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches provided by the vendor to remediate this vulnerability. For more detailed guidance, organizations can refer to the vendor's security page.
Application security assessments can also help identify other potential vulnerabilities in Webmin and similar applications.
In the absence of a patch, organizations should implement network controls to restrict access to Webmin interfaces and monitor logs for any suspicious activities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor their logs for unusual command execution patterns. Setting up alerts for specific indicators of compromise can help in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2019-15107 highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems and conducting regular security assessments to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Security teams should utilize this incident to review their vulnerability management processes and enhance their incident response capabilities.
For further resources on vulnerability management, organizations can explore best practices in vulnerability management programs. In addition, considering a comprehensive penetration testing strategy can further bolster defenses against evolving threats.
Engaging with experts in the field can provide insights into proactive measures and enhance the organization's overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)