CVE-2019-13599 in CentOS Web Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
In CentOS-WebPanel.com (aka CWP) CentOS Web Panel 0.9.8.848, the Login process allows attackers to check whether a username is valid by comparing response times.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13599 resides within the CentOS Web Panel authentication mechanism, specifically affecting version 0.9.8.848 of the CentOS-WebPanel.com software. This issue represents a classic timing attack vector that exploits the differential response times between valid and invalid authentication attempts. The vulnerability stems from the login process implementation where the system exhibits measurable time differences in processing legitimate versus non-existent user accounts, creating a side-channel attack opportunity for malicious actors.
This flaw constitutes a violation of the principle of constant-time execution in cryptographic and authentication systems, as outlined in CWE-347, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authentication mechanisms that fail to maintain consistent response times. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform user enumeration attacks by observing subtle variations in server response times during authentication attempts, effectively enabling them to determine whether a specific username exists within the system without requiring successful authentication. The timing discrepancies occur because the application does not implement consistent processing delays for all authentication attempts regardless of whether the username exists in the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user enumeration, as it provides attackers with foundational information necessary for more sophisticated attack vectors including credential stuffing, brute force attacks, and social engineering operations. By confirming the existence of specific user accounts, adversaries can focus their efforts on legitimate users rather than randomly targeting accounts, significantly increasing the effectiveness of subsequent attack phases. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where user enumeration could lead to account takeover attempts, as it removes the anonymity that would otherwise protect valid user accounts from targeted attacks. The attack can be executed using automated tools that measure response times, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing constant-time authentication mechanisms that ensure all authentication attempts take approximately equal amounts of time regardless of whether the username exists. Organizations should implement proper rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms to prevent automated enumeration attempts. The solution involves modifying the authentication process to eliminate timing variations through consistent processing delays, as recommended in the ATT&CK framework under T1110 for credential access techniques. Security configurations should include disabling verbose error messages and implementing uniform response times for all authentication attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and monitoring for unusual login patterns to detect potential enumeration attacks. The remediation process requires careful code review and testing to ensure that timing variations are eliminated without introducing performance degradation or usability issues for legitimate users.