CVE-2020-15689 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2020-15689, a vulnerability in Appweb versions before 7.2.2 and 8.x before 8.1.0 that mishandles HTTP requests, leading to a denial of service. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
Appweb before 7.2.2 and 8.x before 8.1.0, when built with CGI support, mishandles an HTTP request with a Range header that lacks an exact range. This may result in a NULL pointer dereference and cause a denial of service.
Understanding CVE-2020-15689
Appweb versions before 7.2.2 and 8.x before 8.1.0 are vulnerable to a denial of service due to mishandling of HTTP requests with specific headers.
What is CVE-2020-15689?
This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Appweb versions before 7.2.2 and 8.x before 8.1.0 that can be exploited to trigger a denial of service by causing a NULL pointer dereference.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15689
The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected system or application.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15689
Appweb's mishandling of HTTP requests with a specific Range header leads to a NULL pointer dereference, resulting in a denial of service.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises when an HTTP request lacking an exact range in the Range header is processed by Appweb, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Appweb versions before 7.2.2
- Appweb 8.x versions before 8.1.0
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request with a Range header that does not specify an exact range, triggering the NULL pointer dereference.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2020-15689 and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches or updates provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.
- Consider disabling CGI support if not required to reduce the attack surface.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
- Update Appweb to version 7.2.2 or 8.1.0 or later to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance system security.