CVE-2020-10592 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Tor before 0.3.5.10, 0.4.x before 0.4.1.9, and 0.4.2.x before 0.4.2.7 allows remote attackers to cause a Denial of Service (CPU consumption), aka TROVE-2020-002.

Understanding CVE-2020-10592

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Tor that could lead to a Denial of Service attack due to excessive CPU consumption.

What is CVE-2020-10592?

CVE-2020-10592 is a security vulnerability in Tor versions prior to 0.3.5.10, 0.4.x before 0.4.1.9, and 0.4.2.x before 0.4.2.7. It allows remote attackers to exploit the system, causing a Denial of Service by consuming excessive CPU resources.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10592

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for remote attackers to disrupt Tor services by causing high CPU consumption, leading to a Denial of Service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10592

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Tor versions before specified releases allows remote attackers to exploit the system, resulting in a Denial of Service attack through CPU resource exhaustion.

Affected Systems and Versions

Tor versions before 0.3.5.10
Tor 0.4.x before 0.4.1.9
Tor 0.4.2.x before 0.4.2.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the affected Tor versions, causing excessive CPU consumption and leading to a Denial of Service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-10592, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Tor to versions 0.3.5.10, 0.4.1.9, or 0.4.2.7 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor CPU usage for any unusual spikes that could indicate a potential attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Tor and other software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring to detect and respond to unusual traffic patterns that may indicate an ongoing attack.
Follow security best practices to secure systems and prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Tor Project for the respective versions to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.