CVE-2018-6320 : What You Need to Know

A flaw was detected in the login.cgi function of Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) versions 8.1RX prior to 8.1R12 and 8.3RX prior to 8.3R2, as well as Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) versions 5.2RX prior to 5.2R9 and 5.4RX prior to 5.4R2. This vulnerability arises from the fact that the http(s) Host header, received from the user's browser, is considered trustworthy without undergoing any verification process.

Understanding CVE-2018-6320

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Pulse Secure products that could allow unauthorized access due to improper validation of the http(s) Host header.

What is CVE-2018-6320?

The vulnerability in the login.cgi function of Pulse Secure PCS and PPS versions allows malicious actors to exploit the trust placed in the Host header without proper verification, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6320

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems, posing a significant security risk to affected organizations.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6320

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the login.cgi function of Pulse Secure PCS and PPS versions allows the http(s) Host header to be trusted without validation, creating a security loophole for potential exploitation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) versions 8.1RX to 8.1R12 and 8.3RX to 8.3R2
Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) versions 5.2RX to 5.2R9 and 5.4RX to 5.4R2

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the http(s) Host header to gain unauthorized access to Pulse Secure PCS and PPS systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-6320 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Pulse Secure to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Pulse Secure products to mitigate future vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Pulse Secure and apply patches as soon as they are released to ensure system security.