CVE-2019-14866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in cpio versions before 2.13 could allow an attacker to compromise the system by manipulating TAR archives.

Understanding CVE-2019-14866

This CVE identifies a security issue in cpio versions prior to 2.13 that could lead to unauthorized access and compromise of the system.

What is CVE-2019-14866?

Prior to version 2.13, all editions of cpio lack sufficient validation of input files during the creation of TAR archives. This oversight could result in the inclusion of files with excessive permissions or from restricted directories in the generated archives.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14866

If a high-privileged user extracts these manipulated TAR archives without caution, it may lead to system compromise, allowing attackers to access unauthorized files and directories.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14866

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate input file validation during TAR archive creation, potentially leading to unauthorized file access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: cpio
Vendor: Red Hat
Versions Affected: All cpio versions before 2.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Impact: High severity with confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-14866 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update cpio to version 2.13 or newer to address the vulnerability.
Avoid extracting TAR archives from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and CVEs related to cpio.
Monitor vendor channels for patches and updates to mitigate known vulnerabilities.