CVE-2019-7256 is a critical command injection vulnerability affecting NortekControl Linear eMerge E3-Series devices. Published on July 2, 2019, this vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a high level of risk. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely, which could lead to severe security breaches.
The vulnerability is characterized by its low attack complexity and the absence of required privileges or user interaction. It exploits network-level access, making it especially concerning for organizations that utilize these devices in their infrastructure.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and disruption of services. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.
As of now, there is known exploit availability, and the vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, which emphasizes its critical status in the cybersecurity landscape.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2019-7256 states: 'Linear eMerge E3-Series devices allow Command Injections.' This vulnerability falls under the CWE-78 classification, which relates to OS command injection issues.
The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level, reflecting the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Affected products include 'linear_emerge_essential_firmware' and 'linear_emerge_elite_firmware', with the vulnerability impacting all versions prior to the vendor patch.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation in the command processing of the affected devices. Attackers may leverage this flaw to inject arbitrary commands into the system, which are then executed with the privileges of the vulnerable application.
The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, meaning that attackers do not require extensive skills or resources to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, no user interaction is needed, which further increases the risk.
This vulnerability significantly impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on these devices for security management.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2019-7256 is substantial. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive information and disrupt services critical to operations. The blast radius for such an attack could extend to all connected systems utilizing the affected firmware.
Urgency assessment indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability as part of their priority patch cycle due to its high CVSS score and inclusion in the KEV catalog.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all versions of 'linear_emerge_essential_firmware' and 'linear_emerge_elite_firmware' prior to the vendor patch, specifically up to version 1.00-06.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should contact the vendor for guidance on remediating firmware, per their advisory. Immediate patching is crucial to eliminate the risk of remote code execution. For devices that cannot be updated, implementing network segmentation and monitoring can help mitigate potential attacks.
For additional assistance, organizations can utilize penetration testing services to ensure their systems are protected.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual command executions and unauthorized access attempts. Behavioral anomalies in device interactions can indicate exploitation attempts. Implementing network signatures for the affected devices can also aid in early detection of potential attacks.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2019-7256 highlights the critical nature of security in IoT and networked devices. Organizations must recognize the patterns of vulnerabilities within such technologies and adopt a proactive security stance.
Security teams should prioritize continuous monitoring and regular vulnerability assessments as part of their defensive strategies. For more on vulnerability management, refer to vulnerability management program design to enhance organizational resilience.
Additionally, exploring proactive security measures through penetration testing methodology can provide insights into potential vulnerabilities and improve overall security posture.
Lastly, consider the implications of incidents like CVE-2019-7256 as part of your broader security strategy, ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into future security protocols. For more on strategic defensive takeaways, refer to penetration testing reports guide for comprehensive insights.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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