CVE-2020-13625 : What You Need to Know

PHPMailer before 6.1.6 contains an output escaping bug when the name of a file attachment contains a double quote character. This can result in the file type being misinterpreted by the receiver or any mail relay processing the message.

Understanding CVE-2020-13625

PHPMailer before 6.1.6 is affected by a vulnerability that can lead to misinterpretation of file types due to an output escaping bug.

What is CVE-2020-13625?

CVE-2020-13625 is a vulnerability in PHPMailer before version 6.1.6 that arises when a file attachment's name includes a double quote character, potentially causing incorrect file type interpretation.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13625

The vulnerability in PHPMailer before 6.1.6 can allow malicious actors to manipulate file types, leading to misinterpretation by recipients or mail relays, potentially resulting in security breaches or data corruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13625

PHPMailer before 6.1.6 is susceptible to an output escaping bug that affects file attachment handling.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when a file attachment's name contains a double quote character, causing the file type to be misinterpreted.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PHPMailer
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Before 6.1.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting file names with double quote characters, potentially leading to file type misinterpretation.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-13625.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PHPMailer to version 6.1.6 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid file attachments with double quote characters in their names.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement email filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious attachments.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely patching of PHPMailer to the latest version (6.1.6) to address the output escaping bug and prevent potential file type misinterpretation.