CVE-2020-14396 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in LibVNCServer before 0.9.13. libvncclient/tls_openssl.c has a NULL pointer dereference.

Understanding CVE-2020-14396

This CVE involves a vulnerability in LibVNCServer that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference.

What is CVE-2020-14396?

CVE-2020-14396 is a vulnerability found in LibVNCServer before version 0.9.13, specifically in the file libvncclient/tls_openssl.c. This flaw can result in a NULL pointer dereference, potentially leading to a denial of service or other security issues.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14396

The impact of this vulnerability includes the risk of a NULL pointer dereference, which could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14396

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in LibVNCServer before 0.9.13 is due to a NULL pointer dereference in libvncclient/tls_openssl.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves triggering the NULL pointer dereference in the libvncclient/tls_openssl.c file of LibVNCServer before version 0.9.13.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-14396 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update LibVNCServer to version 0.9.13 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to ensure known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running LibVNCServer are regularly updated with the latest patches and security fixes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.