CVE-2019-3811 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-3811, a vulnerability in sssd that returns the root directory instead of an empty string, potentially impacting file system access restrictions. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
An issue has been discovered in sssd that affects users who have not defined a home directory. This vulnerability could potentially impact services relying on restricting user file system access.
Understanding CVE-2019-3811
This CVE involves a vulnerability in the sssd project that could lead to unexpected behavior when handling home directories.
What is CVE-2019-3811?
CVE-2019-3811 is a vulnerability in sssd that causes the root directory to be returned instead of an empty string when a user's home directory is not defined. This could impact services that depend on proper home directory settings.
The Impact of CVE-2019-3811
The vulnerability could affect services that rely on restricting a user's file system access to their designated home directory, potentially leading to unauthorized access or privilege escalation.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-3811
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The issue in sssd versions prior to 2.1 results in returning the root directory instead of an empty string when a user's home directory is not defined, potentially affecting file system access restrictions.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: sssd
- Vendor: The sssd Project
- Vulnerable Version: 2.1
- All versions prior to 2.1 are susceptible to this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Vector: ADJACENT_NETWORK
- Attack Complexity: LOW
- Privileges Required: LOW
- User Interaction: NONE
- Scope: CHANGED
- CVSS Base Score: 4.1 (MEDIUM)
- Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-3811 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update sssd to version 2.1 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual file system behavior.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Define home directories for all users to avoid triggering the vulnerability.
- Regularly review and update access control policies to prevent unauthorized access.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the sssd project or vendor to address the vulnerability.