CVE-2019-5443 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in curl <= 7.65.1 allows code injection when a non-privileged user or software places code and a configuration file in a specific directory, enabling execution as an openssl 'engine' when invoked by a privileged user.

Understanding CVE-2019-5443

This CVE involves a code injection vulnerability in the curl software.

What is CVE-2019-5443?

An ordinary user or software can inject code and a configuration file into a designated directory to execute it as an openssl 'engine' when curl <= 7.65.1 is called.
If a privileged user triggers this instance of curl, it gains the capability to perform any desired action.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5443

Allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
Potential for malicious actors to exploit the vulnerability for unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5443

This section provides technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Code injection vulnerability in curl software.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: curl
Versions affected: <= 7.65.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Non-privileged users or software can place code and a config file in C:/usr/local/ to run automatically as an openssl 'engine' when curl is invoked.

Mitigation and Prevention

Measures to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-5443.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update curl to a version beyond 7.65.1 to patch the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the vulnerable directory to prevent unauthorized injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and systems to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability.