CVE-2020-1764 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in Kiali versions prior to 1.15.1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms.

Understanding CVE-2020-1764

A hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in the default configuration file was found in Kiali, all versions prior to 1.15.1.

What is CVE-2020-1764?

This CVE identifies a security issue in Kiali that could enable malicious actors to create unauthorized JWT signed tokens, potentially leading to unauthorized access and modifications in the Istio configuration.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1764

The vulnerability has a high severity base score of 8.6 according to CVSS v3.1 metrics.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1764

A detailed look at the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in Kiali
Allows creation of unauthorized JWT tokens
Bypasses Kiali authentication mechanisms

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Kiali
Vendor: Red Hat
Versions affected: All Kiali versions prior to 1.15.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attacker creates unauthorized JWT signed tokens
Bypasses Kiali authentication mechanisms
Potential privilege escalation to view and alter Istio configuration

Mitigation and Prevention

Actions to take to address and prevent vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Kiali to version 1.15.1 or higher
Monitor for unauthorized access or modifications
Review authentication mechanisms

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software
Implement multi-factor authentication
Conduct security audits and penetration testing

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Stay informed about security bulletins and updates