CVE-2020-12062 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

OpenSSH 8.2's scp client vulnerability allows a remote unprivileged user to overwrite files in the client's download directory. Learn about the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2020-12062

OpenSSH 8.2's scp client vulnerability

What is CVE-2020-12062?

The scp client in OpenSSH 8.2 sends duplicate responses to the server upon a utimes system call failure, enabling a malicious unprivileged user on the remote server to overwrite files in the client's download directory by creating a crafted subdirectory.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12062

Malicious remote users can overwrite arbitrary files in the client's download directory
Requires the victim to use the command scp -rp to download a file hierarchy containing the crafted subdirectory

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12062

Details of the vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

OpenSSH 8.2 scp client sends duplicate responses to the server upon a utimes system call failure
Allows a remote unprivileged user to overwrite files in the client's download directory

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

Crafted subdirectory creation on the remote server
Victim must use scp -rp command to download a file hierarchy containing the subdirectory

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2020-12062

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenSSH to version 8.3 or later
Avoid using scp -rp command for downloading files

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches
Implement least privilege access controls

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenSSH to fix the vulnerability