CVE-2019-20851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was found in versions prior to 1.26.0 of Mattermost Mobile Apps, allowing unauthorized attackers to manipulate and overwrite files on a device.

Understanding CVE-2019-20851

This CVE identifies a directory traversal flaw in the Video Preview feature of Mattermost Mobile Apps.

What is CVE-2019-20851?

This vulnerability in Mattermost Mobile Apps before version 1.26.0 enables attackers to overwrite files on a device through a directory traversal exploit.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20851

Unauthorized attackers can manipulate files on a device and replace them with malicious content, potentially leading to data loss or compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20851

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue allows attackers to perform directory traversal using the Video Preview feature, leading to the unauthorized overwriting of files on the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Mattermost Mobile Apps
Versions Affected: Prior to 1.26.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the directory traversal flaw in the Video Preview feature to manipulate and overwrite files on the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20851 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mattermost Mobile Apps to version 1.26.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor file changes and access permissions on devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent directory traversal vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates to ensure the latest protection against known vulnerabilities.