CVE-2020-14971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Pi-hole through version 5.0 is vulnerable to code injection in piholedhcp, allowing attackers to modify files and execute code. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2020-14971

Pi-hole through 5.0 allows code injection in piholedhcp by manipulating Teleporter backup files, leading to potential code execution.

What is CVE-2020-14971?

Pi-hole, up to version 5.0, is susceptible to code injection in piholedhcp, specifically in the Static DHCP Leases section, through the manipulation of Teleporter backup files.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14971

This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious code into the settings.php file by tampering with Teleporter backup files, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14971

Pi-hole's vulnerability to code injection in piholedhcp has the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

Attackers can exploit the Static DHCP Leases section by modifying Teleporter backup files.
The manipulation occurs in settings.php, allowing unauthorized code injection.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Pi-hole
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions up to 5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers request limited file backups via teleporter.php.
The files are compressed into a .tar.gz archive.
The attacker alters the host parameter in dnsmasq.d files and re-uploads the modified files.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-14971, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Pi-hole to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
Restrict access to sensitive directories and files within the Pi-hole installation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of timely software updates.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly as they become available to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.