CVE-2019-18906: Improper Authentication in cryptctl

The primary impact of CVE-2019-18906 is the potential for unauthorized access to encrypted data managed by cryptctl. An attacker who obtains a hashed password, either through previous breaches or other means, can leverage this vulnerability to bypass the normal authentication process and gain access to protected resources. This could include sensitive configuration files, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The blast radius is limited to systems where the vulnerable cryptctl version is deployed and where hashed passwords are accessible to a malicious actor. This vulnerability shares similarities with other authentication bypass flaws where weak password hashing or inadequate authentication checks are exploited.

1. Reserved2019-11-12
2. Published2021-06-30
3. Modified2024-09-16
4. EPSS updated2026-04-02

The primary mitigation for CVE-2019-18906 is to upgrade cryptctl to version 2.4 or later. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible due to compatibility concerns or system downtime requirements, consider implementing stricter password policies to minimize the risk of attackers obtaining valid hashed passwords. While a direct workaround is not available, reviewing and auditing access controls to encrypted data can help detect and prevent unauthorized access. After upgrading, confirm the fix by attempting authentication with a known hashed password and verifying that it is rejected.