CVE-2019-12406 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Apache CXF versions before 3.3.4 and 3.2.11 are vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to unrestricted message attachments.

Understanding CVE-2019-12406

Apache CXF versions prior to 3.3.4 and 3.2.11 lack limits on message attachments, posing a risk of denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2019-12406?

Apache CXF versions before 3.3.4 and 3.2.11 allow unlimited message attachments, enabling attackers to launch denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12406

The vulnerability can lead to denial of service attacks by maliciously crafting messages with an excessive number of attachments.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12406

Apache CXF versions before 3.3.4 and 3.2.11 are affected by a denial of service vulnerability due to unrestricted message attachments.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of limits on the number of message attachments, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache CXF
Versions Affected: Apache CXF versions before 3.3.4 and 3.2.11

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can construct messages with a large number of attachments, overwhelming the system and causing denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update to Apache CXF versions 3.3.4 or 3.2.11 to enforce a default limit of 50 message attachments.
Adjust the "attachment-max-count" property in the message configuration to customize the limit. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly monitor and update software to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.
Educate users on safe message handling practices.
Collaborate with security experts to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates provided by Apache CXF to mitigate the CVE-2019-12406 vulnerability.