CVE-2020-12006 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Advantech WebAccess Node, Version 8.4.4 and prior, Version 9.0.0, is affected by multiple relative path traversal vulnerabilities that could allow a low privilege user to overwrite files outside the application's control.

Understanding CVE-2020-12006

This CVE involves security issues in Advantech WebAccess Node versions 8.4.4 and earlier, as well as version 9.0.0.

What is CVE-2020-12006?

The vulnerability in CVE-2020-12006 pertains to multiple relative path traversal vulnerabilities in Advantech WebAccess Node, potentially enabling unauthorized file overwriting by a low privilege user.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12006

The vulnerabilities could be exploited by attackers to manipulate files outside the application's intended scope, leading to potential data breaches or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12006

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves relative path traversal issues in Advantech WebAccess Node, allowing unauthorized users to overwrite files beyond the application's control.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Advantech WebAccess Node
Versions Affected: WebAccess Node Version 8.4.4 and prior, WebAccess Node Version 9.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a low privilege user to traverse directories and manipulate files outside the application's designated areas.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-12006 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems to authorized personnel only.
Monitor file system activities for any suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users on secure file handling practices to prevent unauthorized file manipulation.
Keep systems and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Consider implementing file integrity monitoring tools to detect unauthorized changes.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches provided by Advantech to address the relative path traversal vulnerabilities.