CVE-2019-9148 : Security Advisory and Response

Mailvelope prior to version 3.3.0 had a vulnerability that allowed the acceptance and operation of invalid PGP public keys, potentially leading to message falsification.

Understanding CVE-2019-9148

Before version 3.3.0, Mailvelope had a security flaw that could be exploited by attackers to manipulate keys.

What is CVE-2019-9148?

Mailvelope had the capability to accept and work with PGP public keys that were invalid, allowing the import of keys with users lacking a valid self-certification.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9148

If an attacker convinced a victim to import a manipulated key, they could falsely claim to have signed a message that actually originated from someone else.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9148

Mailvelope's vulnerability is described in detail below.

Vulnerability Description

Mailvelope allowed the import of keys that included users lacking a valid self-certification, even when the keys were clearly invalid.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Versions affected: Prior to version 3.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could manipulate keys to falsely claim to have signed a message from another person.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2019-9148 is crucial for security. Follow the steps below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mailvelope to version 3.3.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid importing keys from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches.
Educate users on verifying the authenticity of keys before importing.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Mailvelope to address vulnerabilities promptly.