CVE-2019-9699 in Messaging Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Messaging Gateway (prior to 10.7.0), may be susceptible to an information disclosure issue, which is a type of vulnerability that could potentially allow unauthorized access to data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2020
The Symantec Messaging Gateway vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9699 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects versions prior to 10.7.0 of the messaging security appliance. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper data handling mechanisms within the gateway's authentication and authorization framework. The flaw allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information through unauthorized access pathways that should have been restricted to legitimate administrative users. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of weak access control issues as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to access protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user credentials and session management within the messaging gateway's web interface and administrative APIs. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass normal authentication checks, potentially gaining access to configuration files, user credentials, email contents, and other sensitive operational data. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where attackers can leverage the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or sophisticated exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it enables unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9699 extends beyond simple data exposure, as the compromised information could facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could obtain administrative credentials, email server configurations, and potentially access to internal communication channels. This information disclosure could lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering techniques. The affected environment typically includes enterprise email security systems where the gateway serves as a central point for email filtering, spam protection, and content inspection. Organizations using vulnerable versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, as this vulnerability could expose sensitive data that should remain protected under privacy regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates to version 10.7.0 or later. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their messaging infrastructure to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patching. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access attempts can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security audits of the messaging gateway configuration. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for patterns associated with this vulnerability type, as the exploitation attempts may leave detectable traces in system logs and network traffic. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively handle potential exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.