CVE-2019-20843 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been found in Mattermost Server versions prior to 5.18.0, 5.17.2, 5.16.4, 5.15.4, and 5.9.7, resulting in insufficient permissions for configuration files.

Understanding CVE-2019-20843

This CVE identifies a security issue in Mattermost Server versions before specified releases.

What is CVE-2019-20843?

This CVE describes weak permissions for configuration files in earlier versions of Mattermost Server.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20843

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access and potentially modify sensitive configuration files, leading to potential security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20843

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Mattermost Server versions prior to 5.18.0, 5.17.2, 5.16.4, 5.15.4, and 5.9.7 involves inadequate permissions for configuration files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mattermost Server versions before 5.18.0, 5.17.2, 5.16.4, 5.15.4, and 5.9.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to and potentially manipulate critical configuration files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-20843 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Mattermost Server to versions 5.18.0, 5.17.2, 5.16.4, 5.15.4, or 5.9.7 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and adjust file permissions to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file permissions to ensure proper access controls.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access to essential files.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.