CVE-2018-20911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Code execution is allowed in cPanel versions before 70.0.23 due to the presence of "." in @INC when performing a Perl syntax check on cpaddonsup (SEC-359).

Understanding CVE-2018-20911

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in cPanel versions prior to 70.0.23 that allows for code execution.

What is CVE-2018-20911?

cPanel before version 70.0.23 is susceptible to code execution due to the presence of "." in @INC during a Perl syntax check of cpaddonsup (SEC-359).

The Impact of CVE-2018-20911

The vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on systems running affected cPanel versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20911

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the incorrect handling of @INC during a Perl syntax check, allowing for code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: cPanel versions before 70.0.23
Affected Component: cpaddonsup

Exploitation Mechanism

The presence of "." in @INC during a Perl syntax check enables attackers to execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20911 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update cPanel to version 70.0.23 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any signs of unauthorized code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement strong access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized activities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that cPanel is regularly updated to the latest version to address security vulnerabilities.