CVE-2020-12413 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2020-12413, known as the Raccoon attack, is a timing attack on DHE ciphersuites in the TLS specification. This vulnerability led to Firefox disabling support for DHE ciphersuites.

Understanding CVE-2020-12413

The Raccoon attack targeted DHE ciphersuites, affecting Mozilla Firefox and Firefox ESR.

What is CVE-2020-12413?

The Raccoon attack is a timing attack on DHE ciphersuites in the TLS specification, impacting the security of encrypted connections.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12413

This vulnerability could potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over affected connections.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12413

The technical aspects of CVE-2020-12413 provide insight into the nature of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Raccoon attack exploits timing vulnerabilities in DHE ciphersuites, allowing attackers to decrypt encrypted communication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 78
Mozilla Firefox ESR versions prior to 68.10

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the timing discrepancies in DHE ciphersuites to deduce encryption keys and decrypt secure communication.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2020-12413 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mozilla Firefox and Firefox ESR to versions that have disabled support for DHE ciphersuites.
Avoid using insecure networks where the vulnerability can be exploited.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement forward secrecy mechanisms to enhance encryption security.
Regularly monitor for security updates and patches to protect against emerging vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Mozilla to ensure that DHE ciphersuites are disabled and secure connections are maintained.