CVE-2020-14391 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw in the GNOME Control Center in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 versions prior to 8.2 allows a local attacker to discover Red Hat Customer Portal credentials, posing a risk to confidentiality.

Understanding CVE-2020-14391

A vulnerability in the GNOME Control Center in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 versions prior to 8.2 exposes Red Hat Customer Portal credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2020-14391?

This CVE identifies a flaw in the GNOME Control Center in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 versions prior to 8.2, where improper handling of credentials during system registration through the GNOME Settings User Interface can lead to password exposure.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14391

The primary risk associated with this vulnerability is the compromise of Red Hat Customer Portal passwords, which could result in unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14391

A detailed look at the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability Type: CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials)
The flaw allows a local attacker to discover Red Hat Customer Portal passwords.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: gnome-settings-daemon
Vendor: Not applicable
Affected Version: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 versions prior to 8.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Local attackers can exploit the vulnerability by registering a system through the GNOME Settings User Interface, leading to the exposure of Red Hat Customer Portal credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate the CVE-2020-14391 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 or later to address the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities related to credential exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and encourage regular password changes.
Educate users on the importance of safeguarding credentials and avoiding sharing them.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Red Hat to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.