CVE-2019-10103 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA projects developed using the Kotlin IDE Template, potentially exposing them to a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack.

Understanding CVE-2019-10103

This CVE identifies a security issue in projects created with JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA using the Kotlin IDE Template.

What is CVE-2019-10103?

CVE-2019-10103 highlights a vulnerability in projects developed with the Kotlin (JS Client/JVM Server) IDE Template in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA. The flaw allowed Gradle artifacts to be resolved over an insecure HTTP connection, leaving them open to potential MITM attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-10103

The vulnerability could have exposed sensitive data within affected projects to interception and manipulation by malicious actors, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-10103

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in projects created with JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA using the Kotlin IDE Template allowed Gradle artifacts to be resolved over HTTP, creating a security gap that could be exploited by attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Affected Versions: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability stemmed from the insecure resolution of Gradle artifacts over HTTP connections, enabling potential attackers to intercept and manipulate the data transmitted between the IDE and the Gradle repositories.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-10103 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Kotlin plugin to version 1.3.30 to address and resolve the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate a MITM attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure communication protocols such as HTTPS for artifact resolution to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Regularly update IDEs and plugins to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all relevant software components, including the Kotlin plugin and IDE, are regularly updated to the latest versions containing security fixes for CVE-2019-10103.