How severe is CVE-2019-8978?

CVE-2019-8978 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-8978 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-8978?

CVE-2019-8978 primarily affects Ellucian Banner Enterprise Identity Services. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-8978?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-8978 published?

CVE-2019-8978 was published on 2019-05-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-8978

CVE-2019-8978 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ellucian Banner Enterprise Identity Services with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Ellucian Banner Enterprise Identity Services
Published: 2019-05-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An improper authentication vulnerability can be exploited through a race condition that occurs in Ellucian Banner Web Tailor 8.8.3, 8.8.4, and 8.9 and Banner Enterprise Identity Services 8.3, 8.3.1, 8.3.2, and 8.4, in conjunction with SSO Manager. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to steal a victim's session (and cause a denial of service) by repeatedly requesting the initial Banner Web Tailor main page with the IDMSESSID cookie set to the victim's UDCID, which in the case tested is the institutional ID. During a login attempt by a victim, the attacker can leverage the race condition and will be issued the SESSID that was meant for this victim.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-8978?: An improper authentication vulnerability can be exploited through a race condition that occurs in Ellucian Banner Web Tailor 8.8.3, 8.8.4, and 8.9 and Banner Enterprise Identity Services 8.3, 8.3.1, 8.3.2, and 8.4, in conjunction with SSO Manager. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to steal a victim's session (and cause a denial of service) by repeatedly requesting the initial Banner Web Tailor main page with the IDMSESSID cookie set to the victim's UDCID, which in the case tested is the institutional ID. During a login attempt by a victim, the attacker can leverage the race condition and will be issued the SESSID that was meant for this victim.
How severe is CVE-2019-8978?: CVE-2019-8978 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-8978 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-8978?: CVE-2019-8978 primarily affects Ellucian Banner Enterprise Identity Services. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-8978?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-8978 published?: CVE-2019-8978 was published on 2019-05-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_enterprise_identity_services:8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_enterprise_identity_services:8.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_enterprise_identity_services:8.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_enterprise_identity_services:8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_web_tailor:8.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_web_tailor:8.8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ellucian:banner_web_tailor:8.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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