CVE-2019-9497 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in the EAP-PWD implementation in hostapd and wpa_supplicant could allow attackers to authenticate without the password.

Understanding CVE-2019-9497

This CVE involves a flaw in the EAP-PWD implementation in hostapd and wpa_supplicant, potentially enabling unauthorized authentication.

What is CVE-2019-9497?

The EAP-PWD implementation in hostapd EAP Server and wpa_supplicant EAP Peer lacks validation on scalar and element values in the EAP-pwd-Commit message, allowing potential successful authentication without the password.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9497

The vulnerability could enable attackers to authenticate in EAP-PWD without the password, but additional checks in the cryptographic library can prevent key exchange completion.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9497

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The EAP-PWD implementation in hostapd and wpa_supplicant fails to validate scalar and element values in the EAP-pwd-Commit message, potentially leading to unauthorized authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: hostapd with EAP-pwd support, wpa_supplicant with EAP-pwd support, hostapd with SAE support, wpa_supplicant with SAE support
Versions: 2.7 and earlier for EAP-pwd support, 2.4 and earlier for SAE support

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the lack of validation in the EAP-PWD implementation to authenticate without the password, compromising security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-9497 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update hostapd and wpa_supplicant to versions beyond 2.7 for EAP-pwd support and 2.4 for SAE support.
Monitor network traffic for any unauthorized authentication attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update cryptographic libraries to ensure proper validation mechanisms.
Implement multi-factor authentication to enhance security measures.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendors to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.