CVE-2020-15106 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In etcd before versions 3.3.23 and 3.4.10, a vulnerability exists due to improper input validation, potentially leading to a denial of service condition.

Understanding CVE-2020-15106

This CVE involves a vulnerability in etcd versions 3.3.23 and 3.4.10 that could allow an attacker to trigger a panic condition in the decodeRecord method.

What is CVE-2020-15106?

This CVE refers to a flaw in etcd versions 3.3.23 and 3.4.10 where a large slice can cause a panic due to improper validation of record size in a Write-Ahead Log (WAL) file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15106

The vulnerability can be exploited to create an excessively large frame size, potentially causing a panic in any RAFT participant attempting to decode the WAL.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15106

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from inadequate validation of record size in the WAL file, allowing the creation of abnormally large frame sizes that trigger panics.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: etcd
Vendor: etcd-io
Versions Affected: < 3.3.23, < 3.4.10

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
Availability Impact: High

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-15106, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update etcd to version 3.3.23 or 3.4.10 or later.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Regularly update and patch etcd to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by etcd to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.