CVE-2020-14093 : Security Advisory and Response

Mutt before 1.14.3 allows an IMAP fcc/postpone man-in-the-middle attack via a PREAUTH response.

Understanding CVE-2020-14093

Mutt before version 1.14.3 is vulnerable to an IMAP man-in-the-middle attack.

What is CVE-2020-14093?

CVE-2020-14093 is a vulnerability in Mutt email client that allows an attacker to perform a man-in-the-middle attack via a PREAUTH response in IMAP.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14093

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to intercept and manipulate email communications, leading to potential data theft or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14093

Mutt before version 1.14.3 is susceptible to an IMAP fcc/postpone man-in-the-middle attack.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mutt allows an attacker to carry out a man-in-the-middle attack by manipulating the IMAP fcc/postpone feature through a PREAUTH response.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Mutt
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 1.14.3

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker intercepting the IMAP communication and sending a malicious PREAUTH response.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-14093, users should take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mutt to version 1.14.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid using unsecured networks for email communications.
Monitor for any suspicious activities in email communications.

Long-Term Security Practices

Use encrypted email protocols like TLS for secure communication.
Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Mutt is regularly updated to the latest version to patch known security vulnerabilities.