CVE-2019-18196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

TeamViewer versions up to 14.6.4835 were vulnerable to DLL side loading, allowing attackers to execute malicious code. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2019-18196

What is CVE-2019-18196?

Versions of TeamViewer up to 14.6.4835 had a DLL side loading vulnerability, enabling attackers to run malicious code on a system.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18196

This vulnerability allowed attackers to exploit the Windows Service in TeamViewer, potentially executing malicious code on a targeted system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18196

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in TeamViewer versions up to 14.6.4835 allowed attackers to execute code via a service restart with a previously installed DLL.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vulnerable versions: 11.0.133222, 12.0.181268, 13.2.36215, 14.6.4835
Resolved versions: 11.0.214397, 12.0.214399, 13.2.36216, 14.7.1965

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers needed administrative privileges to install the DLL
Ability to create a new file in the TeamViewer directory was required
Default directory permissions restricted this ability

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update TeamViewer to versions 11.0.214397, 12.0.214399, 13.2.36216, or 14.7.1965
Monitor for any suspicious activities on the system

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential attack surfaces

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities