CVE-2020-10931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Memcached 1.6.x before 1.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via a crafted binary protocol header to try_read_command_binary in memcached.c.

Understanding CVE-2020-10931

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Memcached that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2020-10931?

CVE-2020-10931 is a vulnerability in Memcached versions 1.6.x before 1.6.2 that allows remote attackers to crash the daemon by sending a specially crafted binary protocol header.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10931

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service, resulting in the crash of the Memcached daemon.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10931

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in Memcached 1.6.x versions before 1.6.2 due to improper handling of binary protocol headers in the try_read_command_binary function in memcached.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Memcached versions 1.6.x before 1.6.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted binary protocol header to the try_read_command_binary function in memcached.c, leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-10931 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Memcached to version 1.6.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting Memcached.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Memcached and other software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to restrict access to Memcached servers.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Memcached to address the vulnerability.