CVE-2020-17117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2020-17117, a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server. Find out the impacted systems, exploitation details, and mitigation steps.
Microsoft Exchange Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on December 8, 2020, with a CVSS base score of 6.6.
Understanding CVE-2020-17117
This CVE involves a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server.
What is CVE-2020-17117?
The CVE-2020-17117 is a security vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected Microsoft Exchange Servers.
The Impact of CVE-2020-17117
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM with a base score of 6.6 according to the CVSS v3.1 metrics.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-17117
This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE-2020-17117 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected Microsoft Exchange Servers, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 23 (Version 15.00.0)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 6 (Version 15.02.0)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 17 (Version 15.01.0)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 7 (Version 15.02.0)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 18 (Version 15.01.0)
- Platforms: x64-based Systems
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending a specially crafted request to the vulnerable Microsoft Exchange Server, allowing the attacker to execute malicious code.
Mitigation and Prevention
To protect systems from CVE-2020-17117, follow these mitigation and prevention measures:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft for the affected Exchange Server versions.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
- Implement strong network segmentation to limit the impact of a successful attack.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
- Educate users and IT staff about security best practices and the importance of staying vigilant against cyber threats.
Patching and Updates
- Microsoft has released security updates to address the CVE-2020-17117 vulnerability. Ensure that all affected Microsoft Exchange Servers are updated with the latest patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.