CVE-2020-15646 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-15646, a Thunderbird vulnerability allowing attackers to intercept account setup and steal Microsoft Exchange login credentials. Find mitigation steps here.
A vulnerability in Thunderbird could lead to the leakage of Microsoft Exchange login credentials when setting up accounts.
Understanding CVE-2020-15646
This CVE involves a security issue in Thunderbird that could result in the exposure of sensitive information during account setup.
What is CVE-2020-15646?
If an attacker intercepts Thunderbird's automatic account setup using Microsoft Exchange autodiscovery and sends a crafted response, the user's login credentials can be sent over https to the attacker's server.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15646
This vulnerability affects Thunderbird versions prior to 68.10.0, potentially leading to unauthorized access to Microsoft Exchange accounts.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15646
The following technical details outline the specifics of this vulnerability:
Vulnerability Description
- Attacker intercepts Thunderbird's automatic account setup
- Crafted response leads to sending login credentials to attacker's server
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Thunderbird
- Vendor: Mozilla
- Versions Affected: < 68.10.0
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attacker intercepts autodiscovery mechanism
- Sends malicious response to capture login details
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-15646, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Thunderbird to version 68.10.0 or newer
- Avoid connecting to untrusted networks while setting up accounts
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Thunderbird and other software
- Educate users on phishing and social engineering tactics
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly
- Monitor vendor advisories for any new updates