CVE-2019-14955 in JetBrains
Summary
by MITRE
In JetBrains Hub versions earlier than 2018.4.11436, there was no option to force a user to change the password and no password expiration policy was implemented.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14955 affects JetBrains Hub versions prior to 2018.4.11436 and represents a critical weakness in identity and access management controls. This flaw stems from the absence of mandatory password change functionality and the lack of password expiration policies within the platform's authentication framework. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk by allowing users to maintain indefinitely unchanged credentials, effectively undermining the fundamental principle of regular credential rotation that is essential for maintaining secure access controls.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a missing security control mechanism that should have enforced password lifecycle management. The absence of password expiration policies means that compromised credentials can remain valid for extended periods without automatic termination. Additionally, the lack of mandatory password change functionality prevents administrators from enforcing security requirements that would typically be implemented through password policies. This weakness directly violates security best practices and creates opportunities for attackers to exploit long-lived credentials that may have been compromised through various attack vectors including phishing, credential stuffing, or insider threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential management issues. Organizations using affected JetBrains Hub versions face increased risk of unauthorized access due to the persistence of potentially compromised credentials. Attackers who obtain valid login credentials can maintain prolonged access to the platform without detection, as there are no automated mechanisms to force credential rotation or invalidate stale passwords. This creates a significant window of opportunity for malicious actors to conduct reconnaissance, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the development environment. The vulnerability also complicates compliance with security standards that require regular credential rotation as part of access control management.
Security controls for this vulnerability should have implemented mandatory password change policies that require users to update their credentials at regular intervals or upon specific triggering events. The system should have included mechanisms to force password changes during initial login or when certain security thresholds are met. This aligns with established security frameworks such as the CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which specifically addresses inadequate password strength and rotation policies. Organizations should have also implemented password expiration policies that automatically invalidate credentials after predetermined time periods, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days depending on security requirements. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure to implement core identity and access management controls that are fundamental to protecting privileged access environments.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to JetBrains Hub version 2018.4.11436 or later, which contains the necessary password policy enforcement mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual login patterns or credential usage that might indicate compromised accounts. The platform should be configured with appropriate password policies that enforce regular changes and include account lockout mechanisms to prevent brute force attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and ensure that proper access controls are implemented across all development environments. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing comprehensive identity management practices to protect against persistent credential-based threats.