CVE-2019-7254 in Linear eMerge E3
Summary
by MITRE
Linear eMerge E3-Series devices allow File Inclusion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The Linear eMerge E3-Series devices represent a line of enterprise-grade security and access control systems designed for commercial and industrial environments. These devices typically serve as central management units for access control, video surveillance, and security monitoring functions within large facilities. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7254 specifically targets the file inclusion functionality within these systems, creating a critical security weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the underlying infrastructure.
This vulnerability manifests as a file inclusion flaw that allows attackers to manipulate the device's file handling mechanisms. The technical implementation appears to lack proper input validation and sanitization for file paths or inclusion parameters, enabling an attacker to specify arbitrary files for inclusion or execution. The flaw likely exists in the web interface or management console components where user-supplied parameters are processed without adequate security controls. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-829, which addresses inclusion of code or files that should not be included, and is commonly classified as a path traversal or file inclusion vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit public-facing application, as it represents an attack surface that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could gain full administrative access to the E3-Series device, potentially leading to complete control over access control systems, video surveillance capabilities, and security monitoring functions. This could result in unauthorized physical access to facilities, complete surveillance bypass, and the ability to manipulate security logs to cover malicious activities. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that these devices typically operate in high-security environments where their compromise would have significant business and safety implications. Organizations relying on these systems for critical security operations face potential exposure to data breaches, unauthorized access incidents, and complete security infrastructure compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that address the file inclusion flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks and users. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting access to administrative functions to only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. Input validation controls should be strengthened to prevent any user-supplied data from being processed without proper sanitization and validation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities in the system. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch or mitigation does not disrupt legitimate system operations while effectively addressing the security flaw.