CVE-2020-10595 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-10595, a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in pam-krb5 before version 4.9 that could lead to remote code execution. Find out how to mitigate and prevent this security issue.
A buffer overflow vulnerability in pam-krb5 before version 4.9 could lead to remote code execution in scenarios involving supplemental prompting by a Kerberos library.
Understanding CVE-2020-10595
This CVE involves a critical buffer overflow issue in pam-krb5 that may result in code execution under specific conditions.
What is CVE-2020-10595?
The vulnerability in pam-krb5 could allow an attacker to trigger a buffer overflow by responding to a prompt with a carefully crafted answer, potentially leading to code execution.
The Impact of CVE-2020-10595
The impact of this vulnerability ranges from heap corruption to stack corruption, depending on the structure of the underlying Kerberos library. The severity could lead to code execution, although this code path is not typically used for normal authentication.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-10595
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The buffer overflow in pam-krb5 before version 4.9 could be exploited to achieve remote code execution by manipulating the supplemental prompting feature of the Kerberos library.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability arises when an attacker responds to a prompt with a specific length answer, causing a buffer overflow in the underlying Kerberos library.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-10595 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update pam-krb5 to version 4.9 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual activities on the network that could indicate exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in pam-krb5.