CVE-2019-19857 in Serpico
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Serpico (aka SimplE RePort wrIting and CollaboratiOn tool) 1.3.0. An admin can change their password without providing the current password, by using interfaces outside the Change Password screen. Thus, requiring the admin to enter an Old Password value on the Change Password screen does not enhance security. This is problematic in conjunction with XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19857 resides within Serpico version 1.3.0, a collaborative reporting tool designed for security professionals. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass issue that undermines fundamental security controls implemented within the application's administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the password change functionality, where the application fails to properly validate authentication requirements during administrative password modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and authentication flow design within the Serpico application. When administrators attempt to modify their passwords, the system should enforce mandatory verification of the existing password before allowing changes to be processed. However, the application's architecture permits password modifications through alternative interfaces that bypass the standard change password screen's validation mechanisms. This design flaw creates a pathway for unauthorized access where administrative privileges can be compromised without proper authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of systems utilizing Serpico 1.3.0, particularly when combined with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The issue creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker who has gained access to an administrative account could potentially exploit this weakness to modify their password without proper authentication, effectively maintaining persistent access to the system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when XSS attacks are present, as attackers could leverage both flaws to gain complete administrative control over the reporting platform.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-305 authentication bypass and CWE-312 sensitive data exposure categories within the CWE taxonomy. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as it allows for unauthorized access using administrative privileges without proper authentication. The security implications extend beyond simple password modification, as the vulnerability effectively undermines the principle of least privilege and proper access controls that should govern administrative functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest version of Serpico where this vulnerability has been addressed, enforcing strict input validation on all password change interfaces, and implementing comprehensive access control measures. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of authentication flows within the application to identify similar bypass vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include disabling or restricting access to alternative interfaces that bypass standard authentication mechanisms, and implementing proper session management controls to prevent unauthorized administrative actions. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.