CVE-2020-14458 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in Mattermost Server before 5.19.0. Attackers can discover private channels via the "get channel by name" API, aka MMSA-2020-0004.

Understanding CVE-2020-14458

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mattermost Server that allows attackers to access private channels through a specific API call.

What is CVE-2020-14458?

The vulnerability in Mattermost Server before version 5.19.0 enables attackers to identify private channels using the "get channel by name" API, known as MMSA-2020-0004.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14458

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information within private channels, compromising confidentiality and potentially exposing critical data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14458

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Mattermost Server allows attackers to discover private channels by exploiting the "get channel by name" API.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Mattermost Server before 5.19.0
All systems running versions prior to 5.19.0 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by making specific API calls to the server, enabling them to enumerate private channels.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-14458 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Mattermost Server to version 5.19.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict API access to prevent unauthorized channel enumeration.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement access controls and user permissions to limit exposure of sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Mattermost and promptly apply patches to secure your systems.