CVE-2019-11272 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Spring Security, specifically versions 4.2.x to 4.2.12, as well as older unsupported versions, have a vulnerability that allows the use of plain text passwords through the PlaintextPasswordEncoder. This can lead to unauthorized authentication by malicious users.

Understanding CVE-2019-11272

This CVE relates to a security issue in Spring Security versions 4.2.x to 4.2.12, enabling the authentication of null encoded passwords using PlaintextPasswordEncoder.

What is CVE-2019-11272?

Spring Security versions 4.2.x to 4.2.12, along with older unsupported versions, permit the use of plain text passwords through PlaintextPasswordEncoder. This flaw allows malicious users to authenticate themselves by entering the password "null" when the encoded password is null.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11272

The vulnerability in Spring Security can result in unauthorized access to systems and sensitive information by attackers exploiting the plaintext password authentication issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11272

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Spring Security versions 4.2.x to 4.2.12 and unsupported versions allows the authentication of null encoded passwords using PlaintextPasswordEncoder, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Spring Security
Vendor: Spring
Versions affected: 4.2 (specifically less than 4.2.13.RELEASE)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by leveraging the PlaintextPasswordEncoder in affected Spring Security versions to authenticate using a null password.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-11272 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to a patched version of Spring Security beyond 4.2.13.RELEASE to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid using PlaintextPasswordEncoder for password encoding.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and encourage users to use complex passwords.
Regularly update and patch software to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Educate users and developers on secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Spring to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-11272.
Apply patches promptly to secure systems and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.