CVE-2019-19251 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Last.fm desktop app on macOS versions 2.1.39 and below transmits API keys in plain text due to the absence of SSL/TLS encryption.

Understanding CVE-2019-19251

The vulnerability in the Last.fm desktop app for macOS exposes API keys through unencrypted HTTP requests.

What is CVE-2019-19251?

The Last.fm desktop app (Last.fm Scrobbler) on macOS versions 2.1.39 and below sends HTTP requests without SSL/TLS encryption, leading to the exposure of API keys in plain text.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19251

Attackers can intercept and misuse API keys transmitted in cleartext.
Lack of SSL/TLS encryption compromises the confidentiality of sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19251

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in the Last.fm desktop app.

Vulnerability Description

The Last.fm desktop app on macOS versions 2.1.39 and below fails to use SSL/TLS encryption for HTTP requests, resulting in plaintext transmission of API keys.

Affected Systems and Versions

Last.fm desktop app (Last.fm Scrobbler) on macOS versions 2.1.39 and below.

Exploitation Mechanism

API keys are exposed through unencrypted HTTP requests, allowing attackers to intercept and misuse the keys.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate the CVE-2019-19251 vulnerability in the Last.fm desktop app.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Last.fm desktop app to the latest version that addresses the SSL/TLS encryption issue.
Manually enable SSL/TLS encryption in the Last.fm app settings.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for updates and security patches for the Last.fm desktop app.
Avoid transmitting sensitive information over unencrypted connections.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that SSL/TLS encryption is enabled in the Last.fm desktop app settings to secure API key transmissions.