CVE-2020-12880 : What You Need to Know
Discover the vulnerability in Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) and Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) Virtual Appliance before 9.1R8, allowing unauthorized access to source code. Learn how to mitigate and prevent this security risk.
An issue was discovered in Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) and Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) Virtual Appliance before 9.1R8. By manipulating a certain kernel boot parameter, it can be tricked into dropping into a root shell in a pre-install phase where the entire source code of the appliance is available and can be retrieved. (The source code is otherwise inaccessible because the appliance has its hard disks encrypted, and no root shell is available during normal operation.)
Understanding CVE-2020-12880
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) and Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) Virtual Appliance that allows unauthorized access to the source code by manipulating a kernel boot parameter.
What is CVE-2020-12880?
The vulnerability in Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) and Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) Virtual Appliance allows an attacker to drop into a root shell during a pre-install phase, enabling access to the source code.
The Impact of CVE-2020-12880
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive source code, compromising the security and confidentiality of the appliance.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-12880
This section provides technical details of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) and Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) Virtual Appliance allows unauthorized access to the source code by manipulating a specific kernel boot parameter.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating a certain kernel boot parameter to drop into a root shell during the pre-install phase.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-12880 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update to version 9.1R8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
- Regularly monitor and audit system logs for unusual activities.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches and updates provided by Pulse Secure to address this vulnerability.