CVE-2019-15299 in Centreon Web
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Centreon Web through 19.04.3. When a user changes his password on his profile page, the contact_autologin_key field in the database becomes blank when it should be NULL. This makes it possible to partially bypass authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15299 affects Centreon Web versions through 19.04.3 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that stems from improper handling of user credential updates. This issue manifests when users modify their passwords through the profile management interface, creating a dangerous inconsistency in the database state that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw specifically involves the contact_autologin_key field which should be set to NULL upon password changes but instead becomes blank, creating a potential pathway for attackers to circumvent authentication mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability constitutes a classic case of improper state management and data integrity handling within the authentication flow. The contact_autologin_key field serves as a secondary authentication mechanism that should be properly nullified when users change their passwords to prevent any residual login capabilities. When this field becomes blank rather than NULL, it creates an inconsistent database state that can be manipulated by attackers who understand the system's internal workings. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding proper credential handling and demonstrates poor input validation and database update procedures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-254, concerning weaknesses in authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to potentially enable privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. Attackers who can exploit this flaw may gain access to sensitive monitoring data, system configurations, and administrative functions within the Centreon environment. The partial authentication bypass capability means that while full system compromise may not be immediate, attackers can establish footholds that could lead to more severe breaches. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Centreon for network monitoring and security operations, as the monitoring system often contains critical infrastructure information and access controls that could be leveraged for further attacks. The flaw also represents a significant risk to the integrity of the authentication system, potentially undermining trust in the entire security framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Centreon Web installations to versions that address the database field handling inconsistency. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of authentication events and database changes to detect anomalous behavior related to user credential updates. Security teams should conduct thorough reviews of authentication flows and database state management procedures to identify similar issues in other system components. The implementation of proper database constraints and validation checks can prevent such inconsistencies from occurring in the future. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms as a defense-in-depth strategy, reducing the overall impact of potential authentication bypasses. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper state consistency in security-critical systems and underscores the necessity of thorough testing of authentication flows, particularly during credential modification operations. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would fall under T1078, Valid Accounts, as it enables unauthorized access through compromised authentication mechanisms, and T1566, Phishing, if attackers use this vulnerability in conjunction with social engineering tactics to gain initial access to user accounts.