CVE-2019-5990 in Access Analysis CGI An-Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Access analysis CGI An-Analyzer released in 2019 June 24 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain a login password via HTTP referer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5990 affects the An-Analyzer access analysis CGI software version 2019 June 24 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials to remote attackers. This issue stems from improper handling of HTTP referer headers within the web interface, creating an avenue for credential leakage that directly undermines the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the referer header, allowing malicious actors to extract password information through crafted HTTP requests. This type of flaw falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges from the attacker and can be executed remotely without authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the web application's reliance on HTTP referer headers for access control or session management purposes. When legitimate users navigate through the application's interface, the referer header typically contains information about the originating page, which the application may improperly process or expose. Attackers can manipulate this behavior to extract password values or authentication tokens that are inadvertently included in the referer header during HTTP requests. The flaw represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference or improper input validation, where the application fails to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before processing it. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by enabling unauthorized disclosure of authentication credentials, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5990 extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Organizations utilizing affected versions of An-Analyzer face significant risks including unauthorized administrative access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as it relies on standard HTTP header manipulation techniques rather than complex exploit development. This makes it an attractive target for automated attack tools and opportunistic threat actors who seek to compromise web applications with minimal effort. The impact is further amplified when considering that access analysis tools like An-Analyzer often process sensitive network traffic data, making the compromised credentials potentially valuable for accessing additional systems or conducting advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5990 primarily focus on immediate software updates and configuration hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest version of An-Analyzer that addresses this vulnerability, as provided by the vendor. Additionally, implementing proper HTTP header sanitization and validation within the web application can prevent unauthorized credential exposure. Network-level mitigations such as implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious referer header patterns can provide additional protection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance activities, specifically targeting the initial access and privilege escalation phases of an attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation to reduce the impact of potential exploitation, while ensuring that security controls are aligned with industry standards such as those defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks.