CVE-2019-11538 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure versions could allow an attacker to access data on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2019-11538

What is CVE-2019-11538?

In versions 9.0RX before 9.0R3.4, 8.3RX before 8.3R7.1, 8.2RX before 8.2R12.1, and 8.1RX before 8.1R15.1 of Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure, an NFS issue could potentially enable an attacker to gain access to data in any file on the impacted device.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11538

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.7, indicating a high severity level with a high impact on confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11538

Vulnerability Description

The issue allows an authorized attacker to access the contents of arbitrary files on the affected device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure versions 9.0RX before 9.0R3.4
Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure versions 8.3RX before 8.3R7.1
Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure versions 8.2RX before 8.2R12.1
Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure versions 8.1RX before 8.1R15.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by Pulse Secure.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
Conduct security training for employees to recognize phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure installations are updated to versions that address the NFS issue.