CVE-2019-7860 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
A cryptographically weak pseudo-rando number generator is used in multiple security relevant contexts in Magento 2.1 prior to 2.1.18, Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.9, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7860 represents a critical weakness in Magento e-commerce platforms that stems from the use of a cryptographically weak pseudo-random number generator across multiple security-sensitive contexts. This flaw affects versions prior to specific patches including Magento 2.1.18, 2.2.9, and 2.3.2, creating widespread exposure across the Magento ecosystem. The implementation of insecure random number generation fundamentally undermines the cryptographic security measures that should protect sensitive operations within the platform.
The technical flaw manifests through the utilization of predictable and insufficiently random number generation algorithms that fail to meet minimum cryptographic security requirements. This weakness specifically impacts security contexts where randomness is essential for generating session identifiers, cryptographic keys, password reset tokens, and other security-critical elements. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-330, which identifies the use of insufficiently random values as a security weakness. When attackers can predict or reproduce the random sequences generated by the system, they gain significant advantages in bypassing authentication mechanisms, conducting session hijacking attacks, and compromising user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple inconvenience, creating substantial risks for organizations relying on Magento platforms for their e-commerce operations. Attackers exploiting this weakness can potentially predict session tokens, gain unauthorized access to administrative interfaces, manipulate user sessions, and compromise the integrity of customer data. The vulnerability creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors can elevate their access levels within the system. Additionally, the weak random number generation affects password reset mechanisms, making it possible for attackers to guess or brute-force reset tokens and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a critical risk that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers credential access through brute force methods. The compromised random number generation creates predictable patterns that attackers can exploit to perform targeted attacks against session management, authentication tokens, and cryptographic operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Magento, reviewing current session management implementations, and conducting thorough security assessments of cryptographic operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper random number generation in security-sensitive applications and serves as a reminder of how fundamental cryptographic weaknesses can create cascading security failures throughout complex software systems.
The broader implications of CVE-2019-7860 highlight the necessity for comprehensive security testing and validation of cryptographic implementations within web applications. This vulnerability underscores the importance of adhering to established security standards and best practices for random number generation, particularly in environments handling sensitive user data and financial transactions. Organizations must ensure their security practices include regular vulnerability assessments, proper patch management, and adherence to cryptographic standards such as those defined by NIST SP 800-90A for random number generation requirements. The incident serves as a cautionary example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws in cryptographic components can create substantial security risks for entire platforms and their user bases.