CVE-2019-17640 : What You Need to Know

Eclipse Vert.x versions 3.4.x up to 3.9.4, 4.0.0.milestone1 to 4.0.0.Beta3 are affected by a vulnerability related to the handling of backslashes on Windows Operating systems.

Understanding CVE-2019-17640

This CVE impacts Eclipse Vert.x, leading to potential security risks due to incorrect handling of backslashes.

What is CVE-2019-17640?

The vulnerability in Eclipse Vert.x allows for the possibility of escaping the webroot folder and accessing the current working directory due to the mishandling of backslashes on Windows Operating systems.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17640

The vulnerability, categorized as CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal), poses a risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17640

Eclipse Vert.x's vulnerability stems from the StaticHandler's incorrect processing of backslashes on Windows Operating systems.

Vulnerability Description

The StaticHandler in affected versions fails to handle backslashes correctly, enabling users to escape the webroot folder and reach the current working directory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Eclipse Vert.x
Vendor: The Eclipse Foundation
Versions: 3.4.x to 3.9.4, 4.0.0.milestone1 to 4.0.0.Beta3

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the mishandling of backslashes, attackers can navigate beyond the intended webroot directory, potentially compromising system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate action to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-17640.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Eclipse Vert.x to version 3.9.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation and sanitization to prevent path traversal attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software components to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by Eclipse Foundation.
Apply patches promptly to ensure the security of Eclipse Vert.x installations.