CVE-2020-12823 : Security Advisory and Response

OpenConnect 8.09 has a buffer overflow vulnerability that can lead to a denial of service or other impacts when processing crafted certificate data.

Understanding CVE-2020-12823

OpenConnect 8.09 vulnerability with potential denial of service.

What is CVE-2020-12823?

OpenConnect 8.09 is susceptible to a buffer overflow issue triggered by specially crafted certificate data, potentially resulting in a denial of service (application crash) or other unspecified impacts.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12823

The vulnerability in OpenConnect 8.09 could allow attackers to crash the application or potentially execute arbitrary code by exploiting the buffer overflow.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12823

Details of the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The buffer overflow vulnerability in OpenConnect 8.09 occurs in the get_cert_name function in gnutls.c, leading to a denial of service condition or other unpredictable consequences.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenConnect 8.09
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by providing specially crafted certificate data to the get_cert_name function in gnutls.c, triggering the buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Ways to address and prevent the CVE-2020-12823 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security updates provided by the vendor.
Consider implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.
Educate users and IT staff about safe computing practices and the importance of security updates.

Patching and Updates

Check for and apply patches or updates released by OpenConnect to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in version 8.09.