CVE-2019-18986 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Pimcore versions prior to 6.2.2 have a vulnerability that allows attackers to guess valid usernames through the 'forgot password' feature.

Understanding CVE-2019-18986

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Pimcore versions before 6.2.2 that can be exploited by attackers to deduce valid usernames.

What is CVE-2019-18986?

Pimcore versions before 6.2.2 have a vulnerability that enables attackers to make educated guesses of valid usernames. This can be exploited through the use of the 'forgot password' feature, which provides distinct responses for invalid password attempts and for non-existing users.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18986

The vulnerability in Pimcore versions prior to 6.2.2 can lead to a security breach where attackers can potentially guess valid usernames, compromising user accounts and sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18986

Vulnerability Description

Attackers can exploit the 'forgot password' feature in Pimcore versions before 6.2.2 to distinguish between invalid password attempts and non-existing users, aiding in the guessing of valid usernames.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Pimcore
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 6.2.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by repeatedly using the 'forgot password' feature and analyzing the responses to determine the validity of usernames.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Pimcore to version 6.2.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement multi-factor authentication to enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations.
Conduct security training for users to prevent social engineering attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Pimcore to address the vulnerability.