CVE-2019-16181 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
In Limesurvey before version 3.17.14, admin users could falsely indicate that they have read notifications from other users. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
Admin users in Limesurvey before version 3.17.14 could mark notifications from other users as read.
Understanding CVE-2019-16181
Admin users had the ability to indicate that they have read notifications from other users in Limesurvey prior to version 3.17.14.
What is CVE-2019-16181?
In Limesurvey before version 3.17.14, admin users could mark notifications from other users as read.
The Impact of CVE-2019-16181
This vulnerability allowed admin users to manipulate the status of notifications from other users, potentially leading to unauthorized access or privacy breaches.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-16181
Vulnerability Description
Admin users in Limesurvey before version 3.17.14 could falsely indicate that they have read notifications from other users.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability could be exploited by admin users to falsely mark notifications from other users as read, potentially compromising the integrity of the notification system.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Limesurvey to version 3.17.14 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
- Regularly review and monitor user activities related to notifications to detect any unauthorized actions.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement least privilege access controls to restrict admin users' abilities to manipulate notifications.
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any vulnerabilities in the notification system.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Limesurvey to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.