CVE-2020-15101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-15101, a vulnerability in freewvs before 0.1.1 that allows uncontrolled resource consumption. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation details, and mitigation steps.
In freewvs before 0.1.1, a directory structure of more than 1000 nested directories can interrupt a freewvs scan due to Python's recursion limit and os.walk(). This can be problematic in a case where an administrator scans the dirs of potentially untrusted users. This has been patched in 0.1.1.
Understanding CVE-2020-15101
This CVE involves a vulnerability in freewvs that could result in uncontrolled resource consumption.
What is CVE-2020-15101?
The vulnerability in freewvs before version 0.1.1 allows a specially crafted directory structure to disrupt the scanning process, potentially leading to resource exhaustion.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15101
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as LOW severity with a CVSS base score of 2.8. It requires local access and user interaction to exploit, affecting the availability of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15101
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from the handling of nested directories in freewvs, causing a disruption in the scanning process due to Python's recursion limit and os.walk().
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: freewvs
- Vendor: schokokeksorg
- Versions Affected: < 0.1.1
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to create a directory structure with more than 1000 nested directories, triggering the resource consumption flaw.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-15101 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update freewvs to version 0.1.1 or later to apply the patch.
- Avoid scanning directories with untrusted or potentially malicious content.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and update software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement proper access controls to limit exposure to such vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely patching of software and stay informed about security advisories and updates.