CVE-2019-13420 : What You Need to Know

Search Guard versions prior to 21.0 have timing side channel vulnerabilities when using the internal user database.

Understanding CVE-2019-13420

Timing side channel vulnerabilities were identified in Search Guard versions before 21.0, specifically when utilizing the internal user database.

What is CVE-2019-13420?

CVE-2019-13420 is a vulnerability in Search Guard versions prior to 21.0 that exposes information through timing discrepancies.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13420

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
It poses a risk to the confidentiality of data stored within affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13420

Search Guard versions before 21.0 are susceptible to timing side channel vulnerabilities when using the internal user database.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from information exposure through timing discrepancies (CWE-208).

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Search Guard
Vendor: floragunn
Versions Affected: < 21.0 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting timing side channels to extract sensitive information from the internal user database.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to version 21.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement additional access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly update and patch software to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential risks.
Educate users on secure practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Consider implementing multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Search Guard are updated to version 21.0 or above to address the timing side channel vulnerability.