CVE-2019-17068 : Security Advisory and Response

PuTTY versions prior to 0.73 mishandle the "bracketed paste mode" protection mechanism, potentially exposing sessions to harm from malicious clipboard content.

Understanding CVE-2019-17068

PuTTY before version 0.73 is vulnerable to mishandling the bracketed paste mode, which can lead to sessions being affected by malicious clipboard content.

What is CVE-2019-17068?

The protection mechanism known as "bracketed paste mode" in PuTTY versions prior to 0.73 is not handled correctly, potentially exposing a session to harm from malicious clipboard content.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17068

This vulnerability could allow attackers to exploit the clipboard content to harm PuTTY sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other security risks.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17068

PuTTY before version 0.73 mishandles the "bracketed paste mode" protection mechanism, which may allow a session to be affected by malicious clipboard content.

Vulnerability Description

PuTTY versions prior to 0.73 are susceptible to mishandling the bracketed paste mode, potentially exposing sessions to harm from malicious clipboard content.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PuTTY
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions prior to 0.73

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from the incorrect handling of the bracketed paste mode in PuTTY, allowing malicious clipboard content to impact sessions.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2019-17068.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PuTTY to version 0.73 or later to address the vulnerability.
Avoid copying sensitive information to the clipboard during PuTTY sessions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Educate users on secure clipboard practices to prevent potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running PuTTY are updated to version 0.73 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.