CVE-2020-12626 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Roundcube Webmail before 1.4.4. A CSRF attack can cause an authenticated user to be logged out because POST was not considered.

Understanding CVE-2020-12626

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail that could lead to an authenticated user being logged out due to a CSRF attack.

What is CVE-2020-12626?

The CVE-2020-12626 vulnerability pertains to Roundcube Webmail versions prior to 1.4.4, where a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack can trigger the logout of an authenticated user by not considering POST requests.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12626

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized logouts of authenticated users, potentially disrupting their workflow and causing inconvenience.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12626

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Roundcube Webmail before version 1.4.4 allows for CSRF attacks that can force authenticated users to log out by not recognizing POST requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Roundcube Webmail
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 1.4.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through crafted CSRF attacks that manipulate the authentication state of users, leading to unexpected logouts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the CVE-2020-12626 vulnerability, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Roundcube Webmail to version 1.4.4 or newer to mitigate the CSRF logout vulnerability.
Monitor user sessions for unexpected logouts and investigate any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement CSRF tokens and secure authentication mechanisms to prevent CSRF attacks.
Regularly update and patch web applications to address security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by Roundcube Webmail to address known vulnerabilities.