CVE-2018-20940 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in versions of cPanel prior to 68.0.27, which could potentially allow unauthorized individuals to access the crontab file of the root user when backups are enabled. This vulnerability occurs only within a limited time frame.

Understanding CVE-2018-20940

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in cPanel versions before 68.0.27 that could lead to unauthorized access to the root user's crontab file.

What is CVE-2018-20940?

cPanel before version 68.0.27 is susceptible to an exploit that enables attackers to read the crontab file of the root user during a brief period after backups are activated.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20940

The vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive system files, potentially leading to further exploitation or data compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20940

Vulnerability Description

cPanel versions prior to 68.0.27 allow attackers to read the root user's crontab file during a short time interval when backups are enabled.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: cPanel
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions before 68.0.27

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the crontab file of the root user when backups are turned on.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update cPanel to version 68.0.27 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Disable backups temporarily if unable to update immediately.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update cPanel and other software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Monitor system logs for any unauthorized access attempts.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by cPanel to address security issues promptly.