CVE-2019-18906 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2019-18906 article provides insights into an Improper Authentication vulnerability in the cryptctl component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP 12-SP5 and SUSE Manager Server 4.0.

Understanding CVE-2019-18906

An issue has been identified in the cryptctl component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP 12-SP5 and SUSE Manager Server 4.0, allowing attackers with access to hashed passwords to use them directly without cracking.

What is CVE-2019-18906?

CVE-2019-18906 is an Improper Authentication vulnerability in cryptctl, enabling attackers to exploit hashed passwords without cracking them.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18906

This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.8 (Critical) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18906

The technical details of CVE-2019-18906 shed light on the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in cryptctl allows attackers to use hashed passwords directly, bypassing the need for cracking, posing a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: SUSE
Products Affected:
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP 12-SP5
SUSE Manager Server 4.0
Vulnerable Versions: cryptctl versions prior to 2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with access to hashed passwords can exploit this vulnerability without the necessity of cracking, potentially compromising system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-18906 requires immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update cryptctl to version 2.4 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities related to authentication.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement multi-factor authentication to enhance password security.
Regularly review and update password policies to strengthen authentication mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by SUSE to address the vulnerability in cryptctl.