CVE-2020-1778 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2020-1778 article provides insights into a vulnerability in OTRS that allows agents to bypass user account validation.

Understanding CVE-2020-1778

This section elaborates on the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2020-1778?

CVE-2020-1778 involves the ability of OTRS agents to log in even with invalid user accounts when multiple backends are enabled for authentication, specifically LDAP. The versions affected are OTRS 8.0.9 and earlier.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1778

The vulnerability poses a medium risk with a CVSS base score of 4.1, allowing unauthorized access to OTRS accounts without proper validation.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1778

Here we delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises when OTRS employs multiple authentication backends, permitting agents to log in despite accounts being marked as invalid.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OTRS
Vendor: OTRS AG
Versions affected: <= 8.0.9
Version type: Custom (8.0.x)

Exploitation Mechanism

Agents exploit the vulnerability by leveraging multiple authentication backends, particularly LDAP, to gain unauthorized access to OTRS user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on steps to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent future occurrences.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to OTRS version 8.0.10 to address the security loophole.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user access and permissions within the OTRS system.
Implement strict authentication controls and validate user accounts rigorously.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories and patches released by OTRS to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.