Authentication bypass in uninett mod_auth_mellon
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-287.
Summary
A vulnerability was found in mod_auth_mellon before v0.14.2. If Apache is configured as a reverse proxy and mod_auth_mellon is configured to only let through authenticated users (with the require valid-user directive), adding special HTTP headers that are normally used to start the special SAML ECP (non-browser based) can be used to bypass authentication.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| uninett | mod_auth_mellon | before v0.14.2 | v0.14.2 | Patch available | CNA |
- mod_auth_mellon Vendoruninett Affected before v0.14.2 Fixed in v0.14.2 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 12
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:mod_auth_mellon_project:mod_auth_mellon:*:*:*:*:*:apache:*:* | before 0.14.2 | Vulnerable | Mod Auth Mellon Project |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:29:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 29 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:30:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 30 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
- cpe:2.3:a:mod_auth_mellon_project:mod_auth_mellon:*:*:*:*:*:apache:*:* Versions before 0.14.2 Vulnerable ·Mod Auth Mellon Project
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:29:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 29 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:30:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 30 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Remediation
- Fix · CNA mod_auth_mellon (uninett) Fixed in v0.14.2
Red Hat 3 advisories
- RHSA-2019:0985 Released 2019-05-07 · Red Hat rating Importantmod_auth_mellon security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) mod_auth_mellon-0.14.0-3.el8_0.2
- RHSA-2019:0766 Released 2019-04-16 · Red Hat rating Importantmod_auth_mellon security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-diagnostics-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-diagnostics-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) mod_auth_mellon-diagnostics-0.14.0-2.el7_6.4
- RHSA-2019:0746 Released 2019-04-11 · Red Hat rating Importanthttpd24-httpd and httpd24-mod_auth_mellon security update
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el6.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el6.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el6.1 +5
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el7.1 +7
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.4) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el7.1 +7
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el7.1 +7
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el7.1 +7
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el6.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el6.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el6.1 +5
- Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) httpd24-httpd-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-devel-2.4.34-7.el7.1, httpd24-httpd-manual-2.4.34-7.el7.1 +7
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
uninett mod_auth_mellon — RHSA-2019:0766
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2019-02887 Open redirect in uninett mod_auth_mellonPriority LOW 31
- Advisory ·
uninett mod_auth_mellon — FEDORA-2019-db1e9b3002
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2019-02887 Open redirect in uninett mod_auth_mellonPriority LOW 31
Show 2 more groups
- Advisory ·
uninett mod_auth_mellon — FEDORA-2019-2d8ee47f61
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2019-02887 Open redirect in uninett mod_auth_mellonPriority LOW 31
- Advisory ·
uninett mod_auth_mellon — USN-3924-1
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2019-02887 Open redirect in uninett mod_auth_mellonPriority LOW 31
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0985 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0766 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0746 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-3878
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-6gx9-985p-w8c8
References
More uninett vulnerabilities
- TI-2014-07039 The mod_auth_mellon module before 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.4
- TI-2021-12310 Missing input validation in dynamic discovery example scripts. CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.4
- TI-2016-01957 The am_read_post_data function in mod_auth_mellon before 0.11.1 does not limit the amount… CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2016-01956 The am_read_post_data function in mod_auth_mellon before 0.11.1 does not check if the… CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2014-07038 The mod_auth_mellon module before 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.4
- TI-2012-03863 radsecproxy before 1.6.1 does not properly verify certificates when there are… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.4
Sources
- CVE-2019-3878 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-3878 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-6gx9-985p-w8c8 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2019-3878 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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