CVE-2019-1000012 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2019-1000012 was assigned on January 22, 2019, and made public on February 4, 2019. It pertains to a security issue in versions 0.14.0 through 0.18.2 of the Hex package manager, affecting package registry verification.

Understanding CVE-2019-1000012

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Signing oracle functionality of the Hex package manager, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code.

What is CVE-2019-1000012?

The versions 0.14.0 through 0.18.2 of the Hex package manager have a security issue in Package registry verification, specifically in the Signing oracle functionality. This vulnerability can lead to undetected modifications to packages, thereby enabling the execution of code. The attack can be initiated when a victim retrieves packages from a mirror that has been compromised or is malicious. The vulnerability has been resolved in version 0.19 of the package manager.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1000012

The vulnerability allows for undetected modifications to packages, enabling the execution of malicious code. Attackers can exploit this by compromising or using a malicious mirror to distribute packages.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1000012

CVE-2019-1000012 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Hex package manager versions 0.14.0 through 0.18.2 allows for undetected modifications to packages, facilitating code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Hex package manager versions 0.14.0 through 0.18.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating packages on compromised or malicious mirrors, leading to the execution of unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-1000012, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to version 0.19 of the Hex package manager to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid fetching packages from untrusted or compromised mirrors.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and packages to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent code execution vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the Hex package manager to address vulnerabilities.