CVE-2020-10519 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A remote code execution vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that could be exploited when building a GitHub Pages site. This CVE affected versions prior to 2.22.7.

Understanding CVE-2020-10519

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed remote code execution through GitHub Pages.

What is CVE-2020-10519?

The vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server allowed attackers to execute commands on the server instance by manipulating the underlying parsers used by GitHub Pages.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10519

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with permission to create and build a GitHub Pages site on the affected GitHub Enterprise Server instances.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10519

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from unsafe configuration options in GitHub Pages, enabling remote code execution on GitHub Enterprise Server.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitHub Enterprise Server versions less than 2.22.7 were affected.
Versions 2.20.24, 2.21.15, and 2.22.7 were fixed to address this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the parsers used by GitHub Pages to execute commands on the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-10519 with these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitHub Enterprise Server to version 2.22.7 or newer.
Monitor and restrict permissions for creating and building GitHub Pages sites.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations.
Conduct security training to educate users on safe practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to ensure system security.