CVE-2020-11462 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

OpenVPN Access Server before 2.7.0 and 2.8.x before 2.8.3 is vulnerable to a temporary DoS state via XML Entity Expansion (XEE) payload.

Understanding CVE-2020-11462

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in OpenVPN Access Server that could lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition.

What is CVE-2020-11462?

An issue in OpenVPN Access Server allows attackers to trigger a temporary DoS state on the management interface by sending a malicious XEE payload to the XMLRPC based RPC2 interface.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11462

Attackers can cause a temporary DoS state on the management interface.
The duration of the DoS state depends on system resources.
The default restricted mode of the RPC2 interface is not vulnerable.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11462

OpenVPN Access Server is affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability Type: Denial of Service (DoS)
Attack Vector: Remote
Complexity: Low

Affected Systems and Versions

OpenVPN Access Server before 2.7.0
OpenVPN Access Server 2.8.x before 2.8.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the full featured RPC2 interface to send XEE payloads, causing a temporary DoS state.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenVPN Access Server to version 2.8.3 or later.
Disable the full featured RPC2 interface if not required.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update the software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by OpenVPN promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.