CVE-2019-14716 in VerixV
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2020
Verifone VerixV Pinpad Payment Terminals with QT000530 have an undocumented physical access mode (aka VerixV shell.out).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14716 affects Verifone VerixV Pinpad Payment Terminals running firmware version QT000530 and potentially other variants within the VerixV product line. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes unauthorized physical access capabilities through an undocumented administrative interface. The vulnerability manifests as a hidden physical access mode commonly referred to as the "VerixV shell.out" which operates outside the normal operational parameters and security controls of the payment terminal. This undocumented access mechanism fundamentally undermines the security posture of the device by providing a backdoor path that bypasses standard authentication and authorization protocols typically enforced by the payment terminal's operating system.
The technical flaw resides in the improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the Verifone VerixV terminal firmware. The presence of an undocumented physical access mode indicates a failure in the secure development lifecycle practices, specifically in the areas of access control design and code review processes. This vulnerability operates at the hardware level where physical access to the device enables exploitation through specific key sequences or hardware manipulation that triggers the hidden shell interface. The implementation violates fundamental security principles outlined in the CWE taxonomy under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and more specifically CWE-668, which covers the exposure of a resource through an access control mechanism. The vulnerability essentially creates a privilege escalation path that allows an attacker with physical access to gain administrative-level control over the device without requiring knowledge of legitimate credentials or authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of the payment terminal's security functions. Attackers who gain access through this undocumented mode can potentially modify critical system files, install malicious software, extract sensitive data including cardholder information, and manipulate transaction processing capabilities. This poses significant risks to both the organization operating the payment terminals and the end customers whose payment data may be compromised. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in payment processing environments where PCI DSS compliance is mandatory, as it creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass the security controls required by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. The presence of such a backdoor directly contravenes the requirements outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and script interpreter, as it allows for unauthorized command execution within the system environment. Additionally, the vulnerability falls under the T1068 technique for exploit for privilege escalation, since it provides unauthorized access to administrative functions without proper authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to address the root cause through firmware updates provided by Verifone. Organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to payment terminals, including secure housing, tamper-evident seals, and restricted access environments. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar undocumented access mechanisms within other payment processing equipment. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure appropriate handling of physical security breaches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and conducting thorough security reviews during the development lifecycle to prevent the introduction of backdoors or undocumented access mechanisms. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other payment processing equipment and ensure compliance with industry standards including PCI DSS requirements for secure payment processing environments.