CVE-2019-7259 in Linear eMerge E3
Summary
by MITRE
Linear eMerge E3-Series devices allow Authorization Bypass with Information Disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The Linear eMerge E3-Series devices represent a class of network security appliances designed for enterprise environments, specifically targeting access control and security management functions. These devices are commonly deployed in physical security infrastructures where they serve as central management points for access control systems, integrating with various electronic door locks, card readers, and biometric scanners. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7259 resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of these appliances, creating a critical security gap that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
This authorization bypass vulnerability stems from improper validation of user credentials and session management within the device's web interface and API endpoints. The flaw allows attackers to circumvent the standard authentication process without providing valid credentials, effectively granting them access to administrative functions and sensitive data. The vulnerability manifests through weak input validation and inadequate session handling, where the system fails to properly verify user identities before granting access to restricted resources. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access through bypass mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential complete system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access detailed configuration data, user credentials, access logs, and system parameters that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators. The disclosure of such information provides adversaries with valuable intelligence for further attacks, including potential escalation paths to privileged accounts and detailed system architecture knowledge. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Linear eMerge E3-Series for critical access control functions, as it could enable unauthorized individuals to gain physical access to secured facilities or manipulate access control policies.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Linear Technologies addressing the specific authentication bypass flaw, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of authentication attempts and access logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management and authentication validation in security appliances, as highlighted in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and system configuration management. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection including network access control lists, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network security devices. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to protect against exploitation of authentication bypass vulnerabilities in enterprise security infrastructure.