CVE-2019-5641 in InsightVM
Summary
by MITRE • 09/21/2022
Rapid7 InsightVM suffers from an information exposure issue whereby, when the user's session has ended due to inactivity, an attacker can use the Inspect Element browser feature to remove the login panel and view the details available in the last webpage visited by previous user
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5641 represents a critical session management flaw within Rapid7 InsightVM software that directly impacts authentication and authorization mechanisms. This issue stems from improper session termination handling where the system fails to properly invalidate user sessions upon inactivity timeouts, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a user's session expires due to inactivity, yet the web interface retains elements that allow attackers to manipulate browser client-side components to bypass authentication barriers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through client-side manipulation using standard browser developer tools, particularly the Inspect Element feature that allows attackers to modify the Document Object Model of web pages. When an authenticated session expires, the web application should completely clear the user interface and redirect to the login page, but in this case, remnants of the previous user's session remain accessible. Attackers can leverage this by removing the login panel elements through browser inspection tools, effectively bypassing the authentication layer and gaining access to the last viewed page that was accessible to the previous user.
This information exposure vulnerability directly relates to CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically manifests as a session management weakness that violates fundamental security principles of access control. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system information, configuration details, and administrative functions that were previously restricted to authorized users. The vulnerability essentially creates a persistent session hijacking scenario where unauthorized individuals can access previously viewed administrative interfaces and data without proper authentication.
The attack vector demonstrates a classic example of insufficient session termination handling that falls under ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for "Account Access Removal" and T1562.001 for "Disable or Modify Tools" when attackers manipulate browser elements to bypass security controls. Organizations utilizing Rapid7 InsightVM are particularly vulnerable to this attack as it requires no specialized tools beyond standard browser capabilities and can be executed by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information that should only be accessible to authenticated users with appropriate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper session invalidation mechanisms that completely clear browser interfaces upon session expiration, implementing robust client-side security controls that prevent manipulation of authentication elements, and ensuring that all session termination events properly redirect users to authentication pages. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as automatic page refresh upon session expiration, client-side code obfuscation, and comprehensive monitoring of session-related activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management practices and underscores the need for regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate similar issues that could lead to unauthorized access and information disclosure.