CVE-2019-18619

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2019-18619?

CVE-2019-18619 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code within the Synaptics fingerprint driver's secure enclave (SGX) by passing invalid pointers to certain APIs. This compromises the confidentiality of sensitive biometric data stored in the enclave. Affected systems include laptops and devices using Synaptics WBF fingerprint drivers with SGX enclaves.

7.8 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code within the Synaptics fingerprint driver's secure enclave (SGX) by passing invalid pointers to certain APIs. This compromises the confidentiality of sensitive biometric data stored in the enclave. Affected systems include laptops and devices using Synaptics WBF fingerprint drivers with SGX enclaves.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Synaptics WBF fingerprint drivers with SGX enclave
HP laptops with Synaptics fingerprint sensors
Lenovo laptops with Synaptics fingerprint sensors

Versions: All versions prior to 2019-11-15

Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with Synaptics fingerprint sensors using SGX enclave technology. Requires local user access to exploit.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete compromise of the secure enclave, allowing theft of encrypted biometric data, installation of persistent malware, and bypassing of fingerprint authentication security.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to protected biometric data and potential system compromise.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper access controls restrict local user privileges and enclave isolation mechanisms are functioning correctly.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local vulnerability requiring physical or local access to the system.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Malicious insiders or compromised accounts with local access can exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges and access sensitive biometric data.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of driver APIs. No public exploit code has been released, but the vulnerability is well-documented in security research papers.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Versions released on or after 2019-11-15

Vendor Advisory: https://www.synaptics.com/sites/default/files/fingerprint-driver-SGX-security-brief-2020-07-14.pdf

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download updated Synaptics WBF driver from device manufacturer (HP/Lenovo) or Synaptics website. 2. Install the updated driver. 3. Restart the system to complete installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable fingerprint authentication

windows

Temporarily disable fingerprint login to prevent exploitation of the biometric data enclave.

Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Disable Windows Hello Fingerprint

Restrict local user privileges

all

Limit standard user accounts to prevent local code execution attacks.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable or remove Synaptics fingerprint driver completely
Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to affected systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Synaptics driver version in Device Manager > Biometric devices > Synaptics WBDI > Driver tab. Versions before 2019-11-15 are vulnerable.

Check Version:

wmic path Win32_PnPSignedDriver where "DeviceName like '%Synaptics%'" get DeviceName, DriverVersion

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify driver version is 2019-11-15 or later in Device Manager. Test fingerprint authentication functionality.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual driver loading events
Failed fingerprint authentication attempts from unexpected users
Windows Event Logs showing driver crashes (Event ID 1000)

Network Indicators:

No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

EventID=1000 AND SourceName="Application Error" AND Message LIKE "%Synaptics%"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2019-18619

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-763

Published: July 22, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.hp.com/hk-en/document/c06696568 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-31372 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://www.synaptics.com/company/blog/ Vendor Advisory
https://www.synaptics.com/sites/default/files/fingerprint-driver-SGX-security-brief-2020-07-14.pdf Vendor Advisory
https://www.syssec.wiwi.uni-due.de/en/research/research-projects/analysis-of-tee-software/ Vendor Advisory
https://support.hp.com/hk-en/document/c06696568 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-31372 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://www.synaptics.com/company/blog/ Vendor Advisory
https://www.synaptics.com/sites/default/files/fingerprint-driver-SGX-security-brief-2020-07-14.pdf Vendor Advisory
https://www.syssec.wiwi.uni-due.de/en/research/research-projects/analysis-of-tee-software/ Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Envy 13t Ah100 Firmware by Hp

Envy 13t Aq100 Firmware by Hp

Envy 17t Bw000 Firmware by Hp

Envy 17t Ce000 Firmware by Hp

Envy 17t Ce100 Firmware by Hp

Envy 13 Ah0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 13 Ah1xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 13 Aq0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 13 Aq1xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Cn0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Cn1xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Dr0xxx X360 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Dr0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Dr1xxx X360 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy 15 Dr1xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15m Cn0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15m Dr0xxx X360 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy 15m Dr0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 15m Dr1xxx X360 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy 15m Dr1xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Envy 17 Bw0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 17 Ce0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 17 Ce1xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 17m Bw0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 17m Ce0xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy 17m Ce1xxx Firmware by Hp

Envy X360 15t Cn000 Firmware by Hp

Envy X360 15t Dr000 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy X360 15t Dr000 Firmware by Hp

Envy X360 15t Dr100 \(validity Fps\) Firmware by Hp

Envy X360 15t Dr100 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 14 Cd1xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 14 Cd2xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 14 Dh0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 14m Cd0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 14m Dh0xxx X360 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion 15 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion X360 14t Cd000 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion X360 15t Dq000 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion X360 15t Dq100 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion X360 14t Cd100 Firmware by Hp

Pavilion X360 14t Dh000 Firmware by Hp

Spectre X360 Firmware by Hp

Thankpad A475 Firmware by Lenovo

Thankpad A485 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad 25 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad A275 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E480 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E485 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E490 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E490s Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E580 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E585 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad E590 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad L480 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad L580 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P1 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P1 Gen 2 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P43s Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P50 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P51 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P51s \(20hx\) Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P51s \(20jx\) Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P51s \(20kx\) Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P52 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P52s Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P53 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P53s Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P70 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P71 \(20hx\) Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P72 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad P73 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad R490 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad R590 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad S1 3rd Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad S3 Firmware by Lenovo

Thinkpad T25 \(20k7\) Firmware by Lenovo