CVE-2019-3474 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A path traversal vulnerability in the web application component of Micro Focus Filr 3.x allows a remote attacker authenticated as a low privilege user to download arbitrary files from the Filr server. This weakness impacts all versions of Filr 3.x before Security Update 6.

Understanding CVE-2019-3474

This CVE-2019-3474 vulnerability affects Micro Focus Filr, exposing a path traversal flaw that enables an authenticated attacker to retrieve any file from the server.

What is CVE-2019-3474?

CVE-2019-3474 is a path traversal vulnerability in Micro Focus Filr 3.x that allows an authenticated attacker with limited privileges to access and download any file from the server.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3474

This vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It has a high impact on confidentiality, allowing attackers to access sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3474

The technical details of CVE-2019-3474 provide insight into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Filr 3.x enables attackers to perform path traversal, leading to unauthorized access to files on the server.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Filr
Vendor: Micro Focus
Versions Affected: Filr 3.x before Security Update 6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with limited privileges can exploit this vulnerability through the web application component of Filr 3.x to retrieve files from the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-3474 requires immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security update (Security Update 6) for Filr 3.x to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict user access to sensitive files to prevent unauthorized downloads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Filr software to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement access controls and user permissions to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all Filr 3.x installations are updated to Security Update 6 or later to mitigate the path traversal vulnerability.