CVE-2019-14666 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

GLPI through version 9.4.3 is susceptible to an account takeover vulnerability due to the misuse of the ajax/autocompletion.php autocompletion feature. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker to manipulate user passwords and potentially gain control over sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2019-14666

This CVE involves a security issue in GLPI up to version 9.4.3, enabling attackers to exploit the autocompletion feature to compromise user accounts.

What is CVE-2019-14666?

The vulnerability in GLPI up to version 9.4.3 allows attackers to abuse the ajax/autocompletion.php autocompletion feature, leading to an account takeover scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14666

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in an attacker taking control of the admin account and accessing sensitive data like API keys or password hashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14666

GLPI's vulnerability to account takeover through the abuse of the autocompletion feature has the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

Due to inadequate validation, attackers can retrieve the token generated by the password reset feature, enabling them to set any user's password.

Affected Systems and Versions

GLPI up to version 9.4.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the autocompletion feature to retrieve the password reset token, allowing them to set arbitrary passwords for users and potentially gain admin access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-14666, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GLPI to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor user accounts for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and regular password changes.
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update GLPI to the latest version to ensure all security patches are applied.