CVE-2020-14312 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A flaw in the default configuration of dnsmasq can lead to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2020-14312

A vulnerability in dnsmasq affects Fedora versions prior to 31 and all Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions.

What is CVE-2020-14312?

The flaw in dnsmasq allows it to act as an open resolver accessible from any internet address, enabling DDoS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14312

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to launch DDoS attacks on other systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14312

A brief overview of the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in dnsmasq allows it to listen on any interface and accept queries from addresses outside its local subnet, potentially turning it into an open resolver.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fedora versions prior to 31
All Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to conduct DDoS attacks by leveraging dnsmasq as an open resolver.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-14312.

Immediate Steps to Take

Enable the

local-service

option in dnsmasq configuration to restrict queries to the local subnet.
Implement firewall rules to limit access to dnsmasq.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update dnsmasq to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Follow security best practices for configuring and securing dnsmasq.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability in dnsmasq.