CVE-2020-14387 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A flaw was found in rsync in versions since 3.2.0pre1, allowing a remote attacker to compromise data confidentiality and integrity.

Understanding CVE-2020-14387

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in rsync versions before 3.2.4 that could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker.

What is CVE-2020-14387?

The vulnerability in rsync allows improper validation of certificates, leading to a host mismatch vulnerability.
An attacker could conduct a man-in-the-middle attack using a valid certificate for another hostname.
The primary risk is to the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted via rsync-ssl.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14387

The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14387

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Rsync improperly validates certificates, creating a host mismatch vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: rsync
Vendor: n/a
Affected Version: rsync 3.2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit the flaw by performing man-in-the-middle attacks using valid certificates for different hostnames.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2020-14387.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update rsync to version 3.2.4 or later to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong encryption protocols for data transmission.
Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the rsync vendor to fix the vulnerability.