CVE-2020-11617 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the RSS application on THOMSON THT741FTA 2.2.1 and Philips DTR3502BFTA DVB-T2 2.2.1 set-top boxes that allows a man-in-the-middle attacker to manipulate data due to lack of SSL certificate validation.

Understanding CVE-2020-11617

The vulnerability lies in the RSS application of specific set-top boxes, enabling attackers to intercept and modify data transmitted to the client.

What is CVE-2020-11617?

The RSS application on THOMSON THT741FTA and Philips DTR3502BFTA set-top boxes fails to validate SSL certificates of RSS servers, opening the door for malicious actors to tamper with data.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11617

This vulnerability permits a man-in-the-middle attack, allowing threat actors to alter data being sent to the client, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11617

The technical aspects of this CVE are crucial to understanding its implications and mitigating risks.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of SSL certificate validation in the RSS application on specific set-top boxes, creating a security gap for attackers to exploit.

Affected Systems and Versions

THOMSON THT741FTA 2.2.1
Philips DTR3502BFTA DVB-T2 2.2.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can execute man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting and modifying data transmitted between the RSS servers and the client due to the absence of SSL certificate validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2020-11617 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures to safeguard systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the RSS application on the affected set-top boxes if possible.
Implement network-level protections to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the firmware of set-top boxes to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on the risks of unvalidated SSL certificates and the importance of secure data transmission.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate a man-in-the-middle attack.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the device manufacturers to address the SSL certificate validation issue in the RSS application.