CVE-2019-1010179 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves the PHKP system, specifically commit 88fd9cfdf14ea4b6ac3e3967feea7bcaabb6f03b, being affected by a 'Command Injection' vulnerability. This allows for potential manipulation of gpg-keys or remote command execution through the HKP-Api.

Understanding CVE-2019-1010179

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE.

What is CVE-2019-1010179?

CVE-2019-1010179 refers to the improper neutralization of special elements in a command, commonly known as 'Command Injection,' affecting the PHKP system.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1010179

The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate gpg-keys or execute commands remotely. The specific component at risk is the function pgp_exec() located in phkp.php at line 98. The attack vector exploited is the HKP-Api, particularly the /pks/lookup?search endpoint.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1010179

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in a command, leading to 'Command Injection' in the PHKP system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PHKP
Vendor: PHKP
Affected Version: including commit 88fd9cfdf14ea4b6ac3e3967feea7bcaabb6f03b (as of 2018-09-15)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through the HKP-Api, specifically the /pks/lookup?search endpoint.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the PHKP system to a patched version that addresses the 'Command Injection' vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to the HKP-Api to prevent unauthorized exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent command injection attacks.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by the PHKP vendor to address known vulnerabilities.