CVE-2019-16516 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been found in ConnectWise Control, version 19.3.25270.7185 (previously known as ScreenConnect), allowing unauthorized individuals to determine if a specific username corresponds to an existing account.

Understanding CVE-2019-16516

This CVE identifies a user enumeration vulnerability in ConnectWise Control, enabling attackers to verify the existence of user accounts without authentication.

What is CVE-2019-16516?

ConnectWise Control (formerly ScreenConnect) version 19.3.25270.7185 is susceptible to a security flaw that permits unauthorized users to confirm the presence of specific usernames within the system.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16516

The vulnerability in ConnectWise Control poses a risk of exposing user account information and potentially aiding malicious actors in targeted attacks or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16516

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ConnectWise Control version 19.3.25270.7185 allows unauthenticated attackers to determine the existence of user accounts based on provided usernames.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ConnectWise Control (formerly ScreenConnect)
Version: 19.3.25270.7185

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting specific usernames to the system and observing the system's response to confirm the validity of the accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16516 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor system logs for unusual username validation activities.
Implement rate limiting on username validation requests to deter enumeration attacks.
Consider implementing multi-factor authentication to enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
Stay informed about security updates and patches for ConnectWise Control to address known issues promptly.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by ConnectWise Control to mitigate the user enumeration vulnerability and enhance overall system security.