CVE-2019-16669 in Pagekit
Summary
by MITRE
The Reset Password feature in Pagekit 1.0.17 gives a different response depending on whether the e-mail address of a valid user account is entered, which might make it easier for attackers to enumerate accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16669 resides within the Reset Password functionality of Pagekit version 1.0.17, presenting a significant security risk through information disclosure. This flaw manifests as a timing or response differentiation attack vector that allows malicious actors to determine the existence of valid user accounts through the password reset interface. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's authentication security model by creating a side-channel information leak that violates fundamental security principles of account enumeration resistance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inconsistent response handling during password reset requests. When an attacker submits a valid email address associated with an existing user account, the system returns a different response compared to when an invalid email address is provided. This differential response behavior creates a predictable pattern that can be exploited through automated testing tools to systematically identify valid user accounts. The flaw operates at the application logic level, specifically within the user account validation routine that processes reset requests, making it a classic example of a timing attack or response-based enumeration technique.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of Pagekit installations by enabling account enumeration attacks that can be automated and scaled. Attackers can leverage this weakness to build comprehensive lists of valid user accounts, which then enables more sophisticated attack vectors such as targeted credential stuffing, social engineering campaigns, or brute force attacks against specific accounts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user account data, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to bypass traditional account protection measures that rely on the assumption that account existence is not publicly disclosed.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-203, Information Exposure Through Discrepancy, where the system reveals information through inconsistent behavior rather than direct data leakage. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts, as it enables attackers to obtain valid account information that can be used for unauthorized access. Organizations should implement mitigations including consistent response handling regardless of account validity, implementing rate limiting on password reset requests, and employing account lockout mechanisms to prevent automated enumeration attempts.
The recommended remediation approach involves standardizing the password reset response to always return the same message format regardless of whether the email address exists in the system. This requires modifications to the application's reset password logic to ensure deterministic behavior and eliminate timing differences that could reveal account information. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, rate limiting, and account lockout mechanisms will help prevent automated enumeration attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for critical accounts and regularly reviewing their authentication mechanisms against established security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B to ensure comprehensive protection against account enumeration attacks.