CVE-2019-13416 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-13416, a vulnerability in Search Guard versions before 24.3 allowing unauthorized access. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
Search Guard versions before 24.3 had an issue with Cross Cluster Search (CCS) functionality, leading to improper authorization.
Understanding CVE-2019-13416
Versions of Search Guard prior to 24.3 experienced a problem with Cross Cluster Search (CCS) functionality. Authenticated users were consistently granted authorization on the local cluster, regardless of their roles on any remote clusters.
What is CVE-2019-13416?
CVE-2019-13416 is a vulnerability in Search Guard versions before 24.3 that allowed authenticated users to be authorized on the local cluster, irrespective of their roles on remote clusters.
The Impact of CVE-2019-13416
This vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized access and compromised data security within the affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-13416
Search Guard versions before 24.3 were affected by improper authorization due to issues with Cross Cluster Search (CCS) functionality.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allowed authenticated users to bypass role-based authorization on remote clusters, granting them unauthorized access to the local cluster.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Search Guard
- Vendor: floragunn
- Versions Affected: Before 24.3
Exploitation Mechanism
The issue occurred when Cross Cluster Search (CCS) was enabled, causing authenticated users to always be authorized on the local cluster, regardless of their roles on remote clusters.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take:
- Upgrade to version 24.3 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Disable Cross Cluster Search (CCS) if not essential for operations.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security audits to identify and address any potential authorization issues.
- Implement least privilege access controls to limit user permissions.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running Search Guard are regularly updated with the latest patches and security fixes.