CVE-2019-18928 : Security Advisory and Response

Cyrus IMAP versions 2.5.x before 2.5.14 and 3.x before 3.0.12 are vulnerable to a privilege escalation issue due to the misinterpretation of HTTP requests within the authentication context of previous unrelated requests.

Understanding CVE-2019-18928

This CVE entry highlights a security vulnerability in Cyrus IMAP versions that could potentially lead to privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2019-18928?

This CVE pertains to a flaw in Cyrus IMAP versions 2.5.x and 3.x that allows an attacker to exploit an HTTP request to escalate privileges by misinterpreting it within the authentication context of a previous unrelated request received over the same connection.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18928

The vulnerability poses a risk of privilege escalation, enabling unauthorized users to gain elevated access within the system, potentially leading to further exploitation of sensitive data or system resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18928

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cyrus IMAP versions 2.5.x before 2.5.14 and 3.x before 3.0.12 allows for privilege escalation as HTTP requests can be misinterpreted within the authentication context of unrelated previous requests received over the same connection.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 2.5.x prior to 2.5.14
Versions 3.x prior to 3.0.12

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending a specially crafted HTTP request that leverages the misinterpretation within the authentication context to escalate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-18928 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Cyrus IMAP to version 2.5.14 or 3.0.12, which contain fixes for the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to ensure known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Cyrus IMAP to fix the vulnerability.
Stay informed about security updates and advisories from the vendor to address any future vulnerabilities effectively.