CVE-2019-14719 in MX900
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2020
Verifone MX900 series Pinpad Payment Terminals with OS 30251000 allow multiple arbitrary command injections, as demonstrated by the file manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The Verifone MX900 series pinpad payment terminals represent critical infrastructure components in point-of-sale environments worldwide, handling sensitive financial transactions and customer data. These devices operate on proprietary operating systems that manage various functions including file operations, network communications, and transaction processing. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14719 specifically affects terminals running OS version 30251000, exposing a fundamental flaw in the device's command execution mechanisms. This vulnerability manifests through the file manager component, which serves as an interface for managing stored files and system operations on the terminal.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the terminal's command processing pipeline. When the file manager component handles user-supplied parameters or file names, it fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before executing system commands. This creates a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the running process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple command injection vectors, meaning that attackers can potentially leverage various pathways to achieve their objectives. The flaw exists at the application layer where user inputs are directly incorporated into system command executions without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, creating significant risks for payment card data security and system integrity. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive transaction data, modify system configurations, install malicious software, or even gain complete control over the terminal. The implications are severe given that these devices typically store cardholder data, transaction logs, and cryptographic keys essential for payment processing. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through network connections or locally through physical access, making it particularly dangerous in retail environments where terminals are often accessible to customers and employees. This weakness directly violates security principles established in standards such as the payment card industry data security standard (PCI DSS) and creates potential for data breaches that could affect thousands of transactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should implement immediate patches or firmware updates provided by Verifone to address the command injection flaw, while simultaneously reviewing and strengthening input validation mechanisms throughout the terminal's software stack. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories related to command injection, and its exploitation patterns correspond to techniques found in the attack tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the payment ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against advanced persistent threats that may target these critical payment infrastructure devices.