CVE-2019-5644 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

The Basic Laboratory Information System (BLIS) by Computing For Good, version 3.5 and lower, is vulnerable to improper access control, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate user accounts.

Understanding CVE-2019-5644

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in the BLIS system that can lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2019-5644?

The vulnerability in BLIS version 3.5 and below allows unauthorized users to modify user accounts, potentially elevating privileges to an administrator role.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5644

The vulnerability poses a critical threat with a CVSS base score of 10, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5644

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability, identified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), enables unauthorized users to alter user accounts, including granting administrator privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Basic Laboratory Information System
Vendor: Computing For Good
Versions Affected: <= 3.5 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Changed
User Interaction: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5644 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update BLIS to version 3.51 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Regularly monitor and audit user account activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches for BLIS to address vulnerabilities promptly.