CVE-2019-20860 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been identified in versions earlier than 5.14.0, 5.13.3, 5.12.6, and 5.9.4 of Mattermost Server, allowing attackers to disrupt the application through a crafted SVG document, leading to a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2019-20860

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Mattermost Server versions prior to 5.14.0, 5.13.3, 5.12.6, and 5.9.4 that can be exploited to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2019-20860?

This CVE describes a security flaw in Mattermost Server that enables remote attackers to trigger a denial of service by sending a specially crafted SVG document.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20860

The vulnerability allows attackers to disrupt the application's functionality, potentially leading to service unavailability and operational issues.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20860

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Mattermost Server versions before 5.14.0, 5.13.3, 5.12.6, and 5.9.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting a vulnerability in handling SVG documents.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mattermost Server versions earlier than 5.14.0
Mattermost Server versions earlier than 5.13.3
Mattermost Server versions earlier than 5.12.6
Mattermost Server versions earlier than 5.9.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted SVG document to the affected Mattermost Server instances, causing the application to hang and resulting in a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-20860 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mattermost Server to version 5.14.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious SVG documents.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from Mattermost to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Mattermost promptly to ensure that the software is protected against known vulnerabilities.