CVE-2019-18985 in Pimcore
Summary
by MITRE
Pimcore before 6.2.2 lacks brute force protection for the 2FA token.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18985 affects Pimcore versions prior to 6.2.2 and represents a critical security flaw in the authentication system's two-factor authentication implementation. This weakness specifically targets the brute force protection mechanisms that should safeguard the time-based one-time password (TOTP) tokens used in the two-factor authentication process. The absence of proper rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to conduct automated credential guessing attacks against the 2FA tokens. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on Pimcore for their content management and digital asset management needs, as it undermines the fundamental security benefits that two-factor authentication is designed to provide.
The technical flaw stems from the lack of implementation for proper authentication attempt monitoring and restriction logic within the Pimcore authentication flow. When users attempt to authenticate using two-factor authentication, the system fails to track or limit the number of consecutive failed authentication attempts for the TOTP tokens. This absence of protection mechanisms allows attackers to rapidly cycle through potential token values without triggering any defensive responses, making it feasible to perform dictionary attacks or brute force attempts against the 2FA tokens. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-307, which addresses improper restriction of repeated authentication attempts, and specifically relates to the lack of account lockout or temporary suspension mechanisms that should be implemented to prevent automated attack vectors. This flaw operates at the application layer and affects the authentication service directly, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of two-factor authentication within the Pimcore platform. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass the additional security layer that should protect against unauthorized access, potentially gaining access to sensitive content management systems, user data, and digital assets stored within Pimcore environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Pimcore is used for managing critical business information, as it can lead to data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and potential lateral movement within networks. Organizations using Pimcore without proper mitigation measures face a heightened risk of successful credential stuffing attacks, where attackers can systematically test stolen credentials against the vulnerable authentication system. This weakness also creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance and identify valid user accounts within the system, as the lack of protection makes it easier to enumerate valid accounts through failed authentication attempts.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2019-18985 involve immediate upgrading of Pimcore installations to version 6.2.2 or later, which includes the necessary brute force protection mechanisms for two-factor authentication tokens. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as configuring rate limiting at the network level, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns, and establishing proper monitoring and alerting for failed authentication attempts. Security teams should consider implementing multi-layered authentication controls including IP address restrictions, time-based access controls, and enhanced logging of authentication events to detect and respond to potential attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper authentication security controls and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110, which covers credential access through brute force or password guessing attacks. Organizations should also review their overall authentication security posture and ensure that all authentication mechanisms, including those used in two-factor authentication systems, are properly configured with appropriate protection against automated attack vectors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other authentication systems and ensure comprehensive protection against credential-based attacks.