CVE-2019-1211 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-1211, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Git for Visual Studio, allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges. Find out affected systems, exploitation details, and mitigation steps.
Git for Visual Studio Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Understanding CVE-2019-1211
What is CVE-2019-1211?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Git for Visual Studio arises from improper parsing of configuration files, allowing unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges.
The Impact of CVE-2019-1211
This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to escalate their privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-1211
Vulnerability Description
The security flaw in Git for Visual Studio is categorized as an elevation of privilege vulnerability due to the incorrect handling of configuration files.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2017
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 version 15.9
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 versions 16.0 and 16.2
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating configuration files to execute arbitrary code and gain elevated privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft for affected versions of Visual Studio.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual system behavior.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all instances of Microsoft Visual Studio are updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.