CVE-2020-15070 : What You Need to Know

Zulip Server 2.x before 2.1.7 is vulnerable to eval injection if a privileged attacker can write directly to the postgres database.

Understanding CVE-2020-15070

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Zulip Server 2.x versions prior to 2.1.7.

What is CVE-2020-15070?

CVE-2020-15070 is a vulnerability that allows eval injection if an attacker with privileges can write to the postgres database and craft a custom profile field value.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15070

The vulnerability could be exploited by a privileged attacker to inject malicious code into the database, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15070

Zulip Server 2.x before 2.1.7 is susceptible to eval injection due to improper input validation.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the ability of a privileged attacker to write directly to the postgres database and insert malicious code via a crafted custom profile field value.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Zulip Server 2.x
Versions: All versions before 2.1.7

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with write access to the postgres database who can manipulate custom profile field values.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-15070.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Zulip Server to version 2.1.7 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the postgres database to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit database write permissions to prevent unauthorized changes.
Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent code injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Zulip to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.